Efficient delivery of multi-site pacing

ABSTRACT

An implantable device and associated method for delivering multi-site pacing therapy is disclosed. The device comprises a set of electrodes including a first ventricular electrode and a second ventricular electrode, spatially separated from one another and all coupled to an implantable pulse generator. The device comprises a processor configured for selecting a first cathode and a first anode from the set of electrodes to form a first pacing vector at a first pacing site along a heart chamber and selecting a second cathode and a second anode from the set of electrodes to form a second pacing vector at a second pacing site along the same heart chamber. The pulse generator is configured to deliver first pacing pulses to the first pacing vector and delivering second pacing pulses to the second pacing vector. The pulse generator generates a recharging current for recharging a first coupling capacitor over a first recharge time period in response to the first pacing pulses. The pulse generator for generating a recharging current for recharging a second coupling capacitor over a second recharge time period in response to the second pacing pulses. An order of recharging the first and second coupling capacitors is dependent upon one of ventricular pacing mode, left ventricle to right ventricle delay (V-V) pace delay, multiple point LV delay and latest delivered pacing pulses to one of the first and second pacing vectors.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/152,684 filed on Apr. 24, 2015. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates generally to medical devices for delivering electrical stimulation and, in particular, to an apparatus and method for multi-site pacing in the heart.

BACKGROUND

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a treatment for heart failure patients in which one or more heart chambers are electrically stimulated (paced) to restore or improve heart chamber synchrony. CRT therapy involves biventricular pacing which consists of pacing the right ventricle (RV) with a RV electrode and a left ventricle (LV) with a LV electrode or monoventricular pacing which consists of pacing only the left ventricle. Achieving a positive clinical benefit from CRT depends in part on the location of the pacing site, particularly in the left ventricle (LV). Placement of the pacing leads and selecting electrode pacing sites is important in promoting a positive outcome from CRT. Multi-site pacing in a given heart chamber may potentially achieve greater restoration of heart chamber synchrony and therapeutic benefit. Efforts have been made to perform multisite pacing, as has been shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,509,890 B2 to Keel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,560 to Cohen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,289 to Cohen, U.S. Pat. No. 6,496,730 to Kleckner et al. The INSYNC II MARQUIS™, a CRT device manufactured by Medtronic, Inc., and the INSYNC III MARQUIS™ were configured to perform at least one of sequential and/or simultaneous pacing to two different ventricular tissue sites.

Multi-site pacing requires a charge to be delivered through a pacing path and a recharging path that removes excess charge at a tissue-electrode interface due to pacing. The pacing path includes an output capacitor that generates a pacing pulse to the impedance load formed by electrodes, a coupling capacitor, and the patient's heart tissue between the electrodes. The recharging path has a current that follows an opposing direction of the pacing path. The recharging path includes the tissue-electrode interface and a coupling capacitor that can absorb residual post-pace polarization signal (or “after-potential”). Residual post-pace polarization signal is undesired since sensing of a response from tissue to a pacing pulse can be affected. Exemplary tissue-electrode interfaces that can absorb residual post-pace polarization signal and subsequently discharge the polarization signal are located at the active tip electrode and the indifferent ring (or IPG case or “can”) electrode.

Sense amplifiers are typically “blanked” during the delivery of the pacing pulse and a programmed blanking period until the repolarization of the tissue-electrode interfaces operation occurs. “Blanked” sense amplifiers means the sense amplifiers are uncoupled from the pace/sense electrodes. “Blanked sense amplifiers, for example, prevent saturating the front end amplifier of the sensing circuit. Most current pacemaker output amplifiers circuits incorporate “fast recharge” circuitry for short circuiting the pacing path and actively dissipating or countering after-potentials during the blanking of the sense amplifier's input terminals to shorten the time that it would otherwise take to dissipate post-pace polarization signal. Fast recharge circuitry and operations are described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,324,425, 4,406,286, and 5,782,880, and German OLS DE 196 15 159, all incorporated herein by reference. One purpose of a recharge operation is to address net charges that occur due to redox reactions which generate gases (e.g. H₂, O₂, Cl₂) at the electrode interface. Recharge operations ensure that the coupling capacitor(s) is recharged to an insignificant voltage level or equilibrium prior to the delivery of the next pacing pulse. By ensuring the net DC current in the pacing path settles to zero or nearly zero, corrosion of the electrode is prevented. In contrast, electrode corrosion does occur when an ineffective recharging path causes a net charge to remain after a pacing pulse is delivered. U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,425 employs predetermined recharge time periods to ensure that the coupling capacitor(s) is recharged to an insignificant voltage level or equilibrium.

It is desirable to develop systems and/or methods that are not limited to predetermined recharge time periods. It is also desirable to develop additional systems and/or methods that are able to increase pacing and/or recharge configurations to optimize resynchronization therapy and reduce side effects such as phrenic nerve stimulation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an implantable medical device (IMD) coupled to a patient's heart.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the IMD shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a schematic circuit diagram of a switching matrix for delivering multi-site pacing.

FIG. 3B is a schematic circuit diagram of a switching matrix that selects a path requiring an electrode to serve as a cathode.

FIG. 3C is a schematic circuit diagram of a switching matrix that selects a path requiring an electrode to serve as an anode.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for selecting electrodes to deliver multi-site pacing therapy.

FIG. 5 is a graphical user interface of a computer when determining programmable options related to multi-pacing of cardiac tissue.

FIG. 6 is a timing diagram that depicts a pacing pulse delivered to a right ventricle, first and second pacing pulses delivered to the left ventricle along with respective coupling capacitor recharge times.

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram that shows a first and second pacing pulse delivered to a left ventricle, a third pacing pulse delivered to the right ventricle along with respective coupling capacitor recharge times.

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram that shows a pacing pulse delivered to a right ventricle, first and second pacing pulses delivered to the left ventricle along with respective coupling capacitor recharge times.

FIG. 9 is a timing diagram that shows a pacing pulse delivered to a right ventricle, first and second pacing pulses delivered to the left ventricle along with respective coupling capacitor recharge times.

FIG. 10 is a timing diagram that shows a pacing pulse delivered to a right ventricle, first and second pacing pulses delivered to the left ventricle along with respective coupling capacitor recharge times.

FIG. 11 is a timing diagram that shows first and second pacing pulses delivered to the left ventricle, a pacing pulse delivered to a right ventricle along with respective coupling capacitor recharge times.

FIG. 12A depicts a simplified view of a portion of the switching matrix from FIGS. 3A-3C.

FIG. 12B depicts the switches that are either open or closed in the switching matrix of FIG. 12A when a pacing pulse is being delivered.

FIG. 12C depicts the switches that are either open or closed in the switching matrix of FIG. 12A when passive recharge occurs.

FIG. 13A is a flow diagram depicting a first embodiment related to determining whether multi-point pacing effectively captures cardiac tissue.

FIG. 13B is a flow diagram depicting a second embodiment related to determining whether multi-point pacing effectively captures cardiac tissue.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram depicting in which each electrode is evaluated to determine whether a pace effectively captures cardiac tissue.

FIG. 15A is a unipolar electrogram measured from a first LV electrode LV1 to an indifferent electrode RV Coil, showing effective capture occurred at a first left ventricular (LV1) electrode.

FIG. 15B is a unipolar electrogram measured from a second LV electrode LV2 to an indifferent electrode RV Coil showing effective capture occurred at a second left ventricular (LV2).

FIG. 15C is a unipolar electrogram measured from the first LV electrode LV1 to an indifferent electrode RV Coil, showing effective capture occurred at a first left ventricular (LV1) electrode.

FIG. 15D shows a unipolar electrogram measured from the second LV electrode LV2 to an indifferent electrode RV Coil, showing ineffective capture at the second LV electrode (LV2).

FIG. 16 depicts a simplified view of a portion of the switching matrix from FIGS. 3A-3C in which the recharging time period, associated with a coupling capacitor, is adjustable and dependent upon voltage sensed at a pacing site by a pacing electrode.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

Methods and associated circuitry are described herein for selecting multiple pacing sites along a heart chamber and delivering pacing therapy thereto. Exemplary pacing therapies include cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). CRT therapy involves biventricular pacing which comprises pacing the right ventricle (RV) with a RV electrode and a left ventricle (LV) with a LV electrode(s) or monoventricular pacing which consists of pacing only a single ventricle such as the left ventricle. These methods may be implemented in any single, dual, or multi-chamber pacing device having at least two electrodes positioned for bipolar pacing of a heart chamber. More often, practice of the disclosed methods will be used when multiple electrodes are available along a paced heart chamber providing two or more pacing vectors to choose from in order to pace the heart chamber.

One or more embodiments relate to multi-site pacing during a single cardiac cycle. The method comprises selecting pacing vectors. A pacing vector is formed by one or more cathodes being referenced to one or more anodes, which allows energy to flow from the cathode to the anode. After a first pacing vector is selected by referencing a first cathode to a first anode, a second pacing vector is selected. The second pacing vector comprises a second cathode and a second anode. First pacing pulses are delivered to the first pacing vector positioned at a first pacing site along a heart chamber. Second pacing pulses are delivered to the second pacing vector positioned at a second pacing site along a heart chamber. The first and second pacing pulses are delivered during a single cardiac cycle. The first pacing pulse can possess different energy characteristics from the second pacing pulse. Additionally, or alternatively, the first and second pulses (e.g. first and second left ventricular pacing pulses) are independent from each other. For example, the first and second pacing pulse have different pacing pulse widths and/or amplitude. In one or more embodiments, a first coupling capacitor recharge time, associated with delivery of the first pacing pulse, is independent of a second coupling capacitor recharge time that is associated with delivery of the second pacing pulse. Each recharge time can be stopped by an occurrence of condition (e.g. delivery of another pacing pulse etc.). Accordingly, the first coupling capacitor recharge time can be a substantially the same duration in time even though the completion of recharge is interrupted by the second pace, in one or more other embodiments, a coupling capacitor recharge time may comprise a set of recharge times before recharge is completed.

In one or more embodiments, a third pacing vector is selected by connecting a third cathode to a third anode. Third pacing pulses are delivered to the third pacing vector positioned at a third pacing site along a heart chamber. In one or more embodiments, a first coupling capacitor is associated with the first pacing vector, a second coupling capacitor is associated with the second pacing vector, and a third coupling capacitor is associated with the third pacing vector. An order of passively recharging or repolarizing the first, second, and third coupling capacitors is dependent upon a number of factors. One such factor is whether the recharging time is interrupted by a pacing pulse. Another factor is a left ventricle to right ventricle delay (V-V) pace delay. Yet another factor is a multiple point LV delay.

One or more other embodiments relate to a method for recharging a set of coupling capacitors involved in multi-site pacing therapy. A first output capacitor is discharged in order to deliver a first LV pacing pulse to a first pacing vector. A second output capacitor is discharged to deliver a second LV pacing pulse to a second pacing vector. A third output capacitor is discharged to deliver a right ventricular (RV) pacing pulse to a third pacing vector. The order of recharging the first, second, and third coupling capacitors can depend on the ventricular pacing mode, the V-V pace delay, and the multiple point LV delay. For example, if the ventricular pacing mode is RV→LV, the V-V delay is greater or equal to 10 milliseconds (ms), and the multiple point LV delay is greater or equal to 10 ms, then the first coupling capacitor begins recharging after delivery of the first LV pace, the second coupling capacitor undergoes recharging after delivery of the second LV pace and the RV coupling capacitor undergoes recharging after the delivery of the RV pace.

In another embodiment, if the ventricular pacing mode is RV→LV, the V-V delay is greater or equal to 2.5 ms and the multiple point LV delay is greater or equal to 20 ms, then the first coupling capacitor undergoes recharging after delivery of the first LV pace, the second coupling capacitor undergoes recharging after the second LV pace and the RV coupling capacitor undergoes recharging after the first coupling capacitor LV pace recharge is completed.

In yet another embodiment, if the ventricular pacing mode is LV→RV, the V-V delay is greater or equal to 20 ms, and the multiple point LV delay is greater or equal to 10 ms, then the first coupling capacitor undergoes recharging after delivery of the first LV pace, the second coupling capacitor is recharged after the second LV pace and the RV coupling capacitor undergoes recharging after the delivery of the RV pace.

In still yet another embodiment, if the ventricular pacing mode is LV→RV, the V-V delay is greater or equal to 20 ms and the multiple point LV delay is greater or equal to 2.5 ms, then the first coupling capacitor undergoes recharging after the second LV pace coupling capacitor recharge process is completed, the second coupling capacitor is recharged after the second LV pace and the RV coupling capacitor undergoes recharging after the delivery of the RV pace.

In yet another embodiment, if the ventricular pacing mode is LV-*RV, the V-V delay is greater or equal to 10 ms and the multiple point LV delay is greater or equal to 2.5 ms, then the first coupling capacitor undergoes recharging after the RV pace coupling capacitor recharge process is completed, the second coupling capacitor is recharged after the coupling capacitor associated with the first LV pace recharge operation is completed, and the coupling capacitor associated with the RV electrode begins recharging after the delivery of the RV pace.

In still yet another embodiment, an implantable device and associated method for delivering multi-site pacing therapy is disclosed. The device comprises a set of electrodes including a first ventricular electrode and a second ventricular electrode, spatially separated from one another and all coupled to an implantable pulse generator. The device comprises a processor configured for selecting a first cathode and a first anode from the set of electrodes to form a first pacing vector at a first pacing site along a heart chamber and selecting a second cathode and a second anode from the set of electrodes to form a second pacing vector at a second pacing site along the same heart chamber. The pulse generator is configured to deliver first pacing pulses to the first pacing vector and delivering second pacing pulses to the second pacing vector. The pulse generator generates a recharging current for recharging a first coupling capacitor over a first recharge time period in response to the first pacing pulses. The pulse generator for generating a recharging current for recharging a second coupling capacitor over a second recharge time period in response to the second pacing pulses. An order of recharging the first and second coupling capacitors is dependent upon one of ventricular pacing mode, left ventricle to right ventricle delay (V-V) pace delay, multiple point LV delay and latest delivered pacing pulses to one of the first and second pacing vectors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, references are made to illustrative embodiments. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As used herein, the term “module” refers to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.

In the following description, a dual-chamber (biventricular) pacing device is described as one illustrative embodiment of a device that may utilize the multi-site pacing methods described herein. This device is used in particular for delivering cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) by pacing in one or both ventricles. It should be recognized, however, that multi-site pacing may be implemented in numerous device configurations that include at least bipolar pacing capabilities in one or more heart chambers for delivering CRT or any other pacing therapy.

Furthermore, aspects of the multi-site electrical stimulation methods may be implemented in any medical device delivering electrical stimulation to excitable body tissue and are not necessarily limited to practice in cardiac pacing applications. CRT can be delivered by one or more leadless pacing devices (e.g. MICRA® commercially available from Medtronic, Inc.) or with leads as shown and described in US 2015-0142069 A1 filed on Mar. 21, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety herein. Additionally, the CRT therapy can be delivered substernally. In one or more embodiments, the CRT therapy is delivered via a pacing electrode via the coronary sinus. In alternative embodiment, a pacing electrode(s) is positioned inside the left ventricle for multi-site pacing.

FIG. 1 depicts an implantable medical device (IMD) 10 coupled to a patient's heart 8 by way of a right ventricular (RV) lead 16 and a coronary sinus (CS) lead 18. An exemplary left ventricular lead with a set of spaced apart electrodes is shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/464,181 filed on May 4, 2012 by Ghosh et al., commonly assigned by the assignee of the present disclosure, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. Exemplary electrodes on leads to form pacing vectors are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,355,784 B2, 8,965,507, 8,126,546, all of which are incorporated by reference and can implement features of the disclosure.

The IMD 10 is embodied as a cardiac pacing device provided for restoring ventricular synchrony by delivering pacing pulses to one or both ventricles as needed to control the heart activation sequence. The heart 8 is shown in a partially cut-away view illustrating the upper heart chambers, the right atrium (RA) and left atrium (LA), and the lower heart chambers, the right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV), and the great cardiac vein 48, which branches to form inferior cardiac veins. The great cardiac vein 48 opens into the coronary sinus (CS) in the right atrium.

The transvenous leads 16 and 18 connect IMD 10 with the RV and the LV, respectively. It is recognized that in some embodiments, additional leads and/or electrodes may be coupled to an IMD for connecting the IMD with the RA and the LA to provide sensing and/or pacing in three or all four chambers of the heart.

Each lead 16 and 18 carries pace/sense electrodes coupled to insulated, elongated conductors extending through leads 16 and 18. A remote indifferent housing electrode 12 is formed as part of the outer surface of the housing of the IMD 10. The pace/sense electrodes and the remote indifferent housing electrode 12 can be selectively employed to provide a number of pace/sense electrode combinations for pacing and sensing functions. The electrodes can be configured to be “canodes,” which are electrodes configured to serve as cathodes or anodes depending upon the selected path of the electrode.

RV lead 16 is shown as a transvenous, endocardial lead passed through the RA into the RV. The RV lead 16 is formed with a proximal lead connector adapted for insertion into a connector bore of IMD connector block 14. Examples of connector modules may be seen with respect to U.S. Pat. No. 7,601,033 issued Oct. 13, 2009, U.S. Pat. No. 7,654,843 issued Feb. 2, 2010, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. Connector module 14, as illustrated, takes the form of an IS-4 quadrapolar connecter, but any appropriate connector mechanism may be substituted. The lead connector (not shown in FIG. 1) electrically couples electrodes 20, 22, 24, and 26 carried by RV lead 16 to internal circuitry of IMD 10 via connector block 14. RV pace/sense tip electrode 20 and proximal RV pace/sense ring electrode 22 are provided for RV pacing and sensing of RV EGM signals. RV lead 16 additionally carries an RV coil electrode 24 and a superior vena cava (SVC) coil electrode 26, which may be used for delivering high-voltage cardioversion or defibrillation shocks. RV ring electrode 22, RV coil electrode 24 or SVC coil electrode 26 are used in some embodiments as an anode paired with an electrode positioned along the LV for delivering unipolar pacing pulses in the LV during anodal capture analysis.

In the illustrative embodiment, a multi-polar LV CS lead 18 is passed through the RA, into the CS and further into a cardiac vein 48 to extend the distal four pace/sense electrodes 30, 32, 34 and 36 along the LV chamber to achieve LV pacing and sensing of LV EGM signals using any combination of electrodes 30 through 36. The LV CS lead 18 is coupled at a proximal end lead connector (not shown) inserted into a bore of IMD connector block 14 to provide electrical coupling of electrodes 30 through 36 to IMD internal circuitry. In other embodiments, the multi-polar lead 18 may include more than four electrodes or fewer than four electrodes. Any medical electrical lead configured to deliver multi-site pacing pulses to tissue can be employed to implement the methods described herein. An exemplary medical electrical lead can be the ATTAIN PERFORMA® LV lead, commercially available from Medtronic, PLC. located in Ireland. The lead can be used to implement method 200 to deliver pacing pulses at the same time or about the same time from two or more electrodes (e.g. LV1, LV2, LV3, LV4, LV5, LV6, LV7, LV8 . . . LVn where n is an integer designated by the lead manufacturer).

In addition to or alternative embodiments, pace/sense electrodes may be operatively positioned along the LV for pacing the LV myocardium using multiple LV leads advanced into different cardiac veins, using endocardial leads and electrodes, epicardial leads and electrodes, or any combination thereof. As used herein, delivering electrical stimuli that causes the ventricle to respond is commonly referred to as capturing a ventricle. Additionally, pacing a heart chamber using an electrode positioned “along a heart chamber” refers to pacing the myocardial tissue of the heart chamber to capture (i.e. evoke a response to the pacing pulse) that heart chamber, and includes using electrodes operatively positioned at endocardial, epicardial, or intravenous locations or any combination thereof. To pace epicardial tissue, an epicardial lead could be used. In one or more embodiments, a leadless pacemaker device can be used for pacing, such as that which is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/178,711 filed on Feb. 12, 2014, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LEADLESS PACING AND SHOCK THERAPY, incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The depicted positions of the leads and electrodes shown in FIG. 1 in or about the right and left ventricles are approximate and merely illustrative. It is recognized that alternative leads and pace/sense electrodes that are adapted for placement at pacing or sensing sites on or in or relative to the RA, LA, RV and/or LV may be used in conjunction with the methods described herein. For example, in a three chamber pacing device, a RA lead may be positioned carrying a tip and ring electrode for pacing and sensing in the right atrial chamber. Additionally, in a four chamber embodiment, LV CS lead 22 could bear proximal LA CS pace/sense electrode(s) positioned along the lead body to lie adjacent the LA for use in pacing the LA or sensing LA EGM signals. A multi-chamber device in which methods described herein may be implemented is generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,555,336 to Sheth, et al., hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The electrodes designated above as “pace/sense” electrodes can generally be used for both pacing and sensing functions. “Pace/sense” electrodes can be selected to be used exclusively as pace or sense electrodes or to be used for both pacing and sensing in programmed combinations for sensing cardiac signals and delivering cardiac stimulation pulses along selected sensing and pacing vectors. A pacing vector includes a pair of electrodes that comprise one or more cathodes and one or more anodes. Typically, the cathode delivers the charge into cardiac tissue since energy typically flows from the cathode into the anode; however, the polarity can be switched to cause the anode to deliver the charge to the tissue. Separate or shared indifferent pace and sense electrodes can also be designated in pacing and sensing functions, including the use of RV coil electrode 24 and/or SVC coil electrode 26 as a pacing anode or used for sensing cardiac signals.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of IMD 10. IMD 10 generally includes timing and control circuitry 52 and an operating system that may employ processor 54 for controlling sensing and therapy delivery functions in accordance with a programmed operating mode. For example, timing and control circuitry 52 can signal switching matrix 58 to perform a number of actions. To illustrate, timing and control circuitry 52 can signal switching matrix 58 to cause the switches to trigger the output capacitor to discharge a pacing pulse to its associated electrode. Details of pacing are shown in in FIGS. 3A-3C and described below with respect to switch matrix 58.

In another example, a signal from timing and control 52 can cause the switches to allow the coupling capacitor to recharge. Processor 54 and associated memory 56 are coupled to the various components of IMD 10 via a data/address bus 55. Processor 54, memory 56, timing and control 52, and capture analysis module 80 may operate cooperatively as a controller for executing and controlling various functions of IMD 10.

Processor 54 may include any one or more of a microprocessor, a controller, a digital state machine, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry. In some examples, processor 54 may include multiple components, such as any combination of one or more microprocessors, one or more controllers, one or more DSPs, one or more ASICs, or one or more FPGAs, as well as other discrete or integrated logic circuitry. The functions attributed to processor 54 herein may be embodied as software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof. In one example, capture analysis module 80 and/or sensing module 60 may, at least in part, be stored or encoded as instructions in memory 56 that are executed by processor 54.

IMD 10 includes therapy delivery module 50 for delivering a therapy in response to determining a need for therapy based on sensed physiological signals. Therapy delivery module 50 includes a signal generator or stimulation generator for providing electrical stimulation therapies, such as cardiac pacing or arrhythmia therapies, including cardiac resynchronization therapy. Cardiac pacing involves delivering electrical pacing pulses to the patient's heart, e.g., to maintain the patient's heart beat (e.g., to regulate a patient's heart beat, to improve and/or maintain a patient's hemodynamic efficiency, etc.). Cardiac pacing can involve delivering electrical pacing pulses ranging from about 0.25 volts to about 8 volts and more preferably, between 2-3 volts. Therapies are delivered by module 50 under the control of timing and control module 52. Therapy delivery module 50 is coupled to two or more electrodes 68 via a switch matrix 58 for delivering pacing pulses to the heart. Switch matrix 58 may be used for selecting which electrodes and corresponding polarities are used for delivering electrical stimulation pulses. Electrodes 68 may correspond to the electrodes 12, 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32, 34, and 36 shown in FIG. 1 or any electrodes coupled to IMD 10.

Timing and control 52, in cooperation with processor 54 and capture analysis module 80, control the delivery of pacing pulses and/or recharge signals by therapy delivery module 50 according to a programmed therapy protocol, which includes the option of selecting multi-site pacing at sites along a heart chamber using methods described herein. Selection of multiple pacing sites and control of the pacing therapy delivered may be based on results of activation time measurements or an anodal capture analysis algorithm or a combination of both, an example of which may be seen with respect to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/301,084 filed on Nov. 21, 2011 by Demmer et al., commonly assigned by the assignee of the present disclosure, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

For example, the detection of anodal capture may be used to select which of electrodes 30 through 36 and corresponding polarities are used in delivering a cardiac pacing therapy. As such, capture analysis module 80 is configured to determine pacing capture thresholds and detect the presence of anodal capture for determining both anodal and cathodal capture thresholds for a given pacing vector in some embodiments.

Electrodes 68 are also used for receiving cardiac electrical signals. Cardiac electrical signals may be monitored for use in diagnosing or monitoring a patient condition or may be used for determining when a therapy is needed and in controlling the timing and delivery of the therapy. When used for sensing, electrodes 68 are coupled to sensing module 60 via switch matrix 58. Sensing module 60 includes sense amplifiers and may include other signal conditioning circuitry and an analog-to-digital converter. Cardiac EGM signals (either analog sensed event signals or digitized signals or both) may then be used by processor 54 for detecting physiological events, such as detecting and discriminating cardiac arrhythmias, determining activation patterns of the patient's heart, measuring myocardial conduction time intervals, and in performing anodal capture analysis and pacing capture threshold measurements as will be further described herein. IMD 10 may additionally be coupled to one or more physiological sensors 70. Physiological sensors 70 may include pressure sensors, accelerometers, flow sensors, blood chemistry sensors, activity sensors, heart sound sensors, or other physiological sensors for use with implantable devices. Exemplary heart sound sensors for a subcutaneous device are shown, described and positioned in the body in U.S. Pat. No. 7,682,316 to Anderson et al. The subcutaneous heart sound sensor could be placed along with a second sensor on a lead behind the lungs. Heart sound sensor implementation in ICD's and/or CRT devices is exemplarily described, shown and positioned in a patient's body in U.S. Pat. No. 8,078,285 B2 to Ganion et al. Other exemplary heart sound sensors are shown, described and positioned in the body in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,876,727, 8,617,082 and 8,777,874, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Physiological sensors may be carried by leads extending from IMD 10 or incorporated in or on the IMD housing. Sensor interface 62 receives signals from sensors 70 and provides sensor signals to sensing module 60. In other embodiments, wireless sensors may be implanted remotely from IMD 10 and communicate wirelessly with IMD 10. IMD telemetry circuitry 64 may receive sensed signals transmitted from wireless sensors. Sensor signals are used by processor 54 for detecting physiological events or conditions.

Sensor input can be used to determine which pacing configuration (i.e. biventricular pacing, fusion pacing (e.g. left ventricular (LV)-only pacing, triventricular pacing (TriV) or dual LV pacing) and/or AV/VV timing are most suitable for a patient. Heart sound sensor data can be used to determine intensity of S1, V sense to S1 interval, peak to peak amplitude or combination of the above. The heart sound sensor can be located in or on the housing of the IMD (also referred to as the (“Can”) impedance sensed for contractility is between the electrodes within the system such as intracardiac, from one of the electrodes back to the Can. Exemplary configurations that may implement features herein are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 9,026,208 to Morely, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,078,285 to Ganion et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,474 B1 to Greenineger et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 8,617,082 B2 to Zhang et al, commonly assigned by the assignee of the present disclosure, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.

The operating system includes associated memory 56 for storing a variety of programmed-in operating mode and parameter values that are used by processor 54. The memory 56 may also be used for storing data compiled from sensed signals and/or relating to device operating history for telemetry out upon receipt of a retrieval or interrogation instruction. The processor 54 in cooperation with therapy delivery module 50, sensing module 60 and memory 56 executes an algorithm for measuring activation times for selecting pacing sites for delivering multi-site pacing. Processor 54 is configured to select a first anode and a first cathode to form a first pacing vector. Processor 54 then selects a second anode and a second cathode to form a second pacing vector. Additional anode and cathode pairs may also be selected by processor 54.

A capture analysis algorithm may be stored in memory 56 and executed by processor 54 and/or capture analysis module 80 with input received from electrodes 68 for detecting anodal capture and for measuring pacing capture thresholds. Microprocessor 54 may respond to capture analysis data by altering electrode selection for delivering a cardiac pacing therapy. Data relating to capture analysis may be stored in memory 56 for retrieval and review by a clinician and that information may be used in programming a pacing therapy in IMD 10.

IMD 10 further includes telemetry circuitry 64 and antenna 65. Programming commands or data are transmitted during uplink or downlink telemetry between IMD telemetry circuitry 64 and external telemetry circuitry included in programmer 90.

Programmer 90 may be a handheld device or a microprocessor based home monitor or bedside programming device used by a clinician, nurse, technician or other user. IMD 10 and programmer 90 communicate via wireless communication. Examples of communication techniques may include low frequency or radiofrequency (RF) telemetry using Bluetooth or MICS but other techniques may also be used.

A user, such as a physician, technician, or other clinician, may interact with programmer 90 to communicate with IMD 10. For example, the user may interact with programmer 90 to retrieve physiological or diagnostic information from IMD 10. Programmer 90 may receive data from IMD 10 for use in electrode selection for CRT, particularly data regarding cathodal and anodal capture thresholds and other measurements used in electrode selection such as hemodynamic measurements and LV activation times.

A user may also interact with programmer 90 to program IMD 10, e.g., select values for operational parameters of the IMD. For example, a user interacting with programmer 90 may select programmable parameters controlling a cardiac rhythm management therapy delivered to the patient's heart 8 via any of electrodes 68. Exemplary programmable pacing parameters include atrioventricular delay (AV delay), left ventricle to right ventricle delay (VV or V-V delay), pacing amplitude, pacing rate, pulse duration, and pacing pathway or vector (e.g., bipolar such as a lead tip electrode to a lead ring electrode, etc. or unipolar such as a lead tip electrode to IMD casing, or housing), which all may be configured to ensure effective therapy to the patient. AV delay which may generally be described as a programmable value representing a time period between atrial electrical activity, whether intrinsic (e.g., natural) or paced, and the delivery of ventricular pacing. The optimal value of the AV delay has generally been defined as a delay that produces the maximum stroke volume for a fixed heart rate or the maximum cardiac output for a sinus node driven heart rate. Exemplary A-V delay, shown in FIG. 5, is a nominal 150 or 160 ms.

Processor 54, or a processor included in programmer 90, is configured to compute battery expenditure estimates in some embodiments. Using measured pacing capture thresholds and lead impedance measurements, along with other measured or estimated parameters, the predicted battery longevity of the IMD 10 may be computed for different pacing configurations. This information may be used in selecting or recommending a multi-site pacing configuration. As such, IMD 10 is configured to perform lead impedance measurements and determine other parameters required for estimated energy expenditure calculations, which may include but are not limited to a history of pacing frequency, capture thresholds, lead impedances, and remaining battery life.

Further, the IMD 10 may be operable to use various electrode configurations to deliver pacing therapy, which may be unipolar, bipolar, quadripoloar, or further multipolar. For example, a multipolar lead may include several electrodes that can be used for delivering pacing therapy. Hence, a multipolar lead system may provide, or offer, multiple electrical vectors to pace from. A pacing vector comprises a cathode and an anode. The cathode may be at least one electrode located on a lead while the anode may be an electrode located on at least one lead (e.g., the same lead, or a different lead) and/or on the casing, or can, of the IMD. While improvement in cardiac function as a result of the pacing therapy may primarily depend on the cathode, the electrical parameters like impedance, pacing threshold voltage, current drain, longevity, etc. may be more dependent on the pacing vector. While not shown explicitly in FIG. 2, it is contemplated that a user may interact with programmer 90 remotely via a communications network by sending and receiving interrogation and programming commands via the communications network. Programmer 90 may be coupled to a communications network to enable a clinician using a computer to access data received by programmer 90 from IMD 10 and to transfer programming instructions to IMD 10 via programmer 90. Reference is made to commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,599,250 (Webb et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,442,433 (Linberg et al.) U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,045 (Snell et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,346 (Nelson et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,745 (Nelson et al.) for general descriptions and examples of network communication systems for use with implantable medical devices for remote patient monitoring and device programming, hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Switch matrix 58, shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3A-3C, provides increased configurations over the prior art. For example, a greater number of pacing configurations are attainable due to the ability to select whether an electrode serves as a cathode (FIG. 3B) or an anode (FIG. 3C). Additionally, or alternatively, the increased pacing configurations can perform sequential pacing along the LV electrodes in a single cardiac cycle by generating a sequence of pacing commands from the timing and control circuitry 52 to the respective output capacitors C_(hold). Moreover, the pacing path may be changed “pace to pace” or preloaded depending on the hardware configuration. For example, an electrode could serve as a cathode during one pace and switch to an anode on the next pace based upon instructions executed by the processor. An example of this switching function would occur based on LV capture thresholds from an anode/cathode combination in relation to the myocardium. Stimulation from a cathode typically has low threshold than anode stimulation. Determining the best electrode based on minimal capture threshold requires switching electrodes from anodes to cathodes. Also, in an LV sequence a anode of the first pace could be configured as a cathode of the second pace, if the first pace/rechange sequence was completed.

In addition to providing increased pacing configuration options, switch matrix 58 provides more efficient and effective passive recharging configurations. Passive recharging (also referred to as repolarization) involves a recharging current that travels in the opposite direction of the pacing current. The passive recharging current serves to balance the total charge at a coupling capacitor. A net charge of zero at the coupling capacitor prevents corrosion from occurring at the electrode.

Switch matrix 58 is depicted as including a support or safety pacing path 140, output capacitors (C_(hold)) 130 a-d, trickle charge resistors (R_(trkl)) 112 a, tip coupling capacitor (C_(tip)) 132 a-f, pacing switches (S_(pace)) 106 a-1, ground switches (S_(gnd)) 118 a-118 i, passive recharging switches (S_(rchg)) 124 a-f, terminal to the integrated circuit connecting to a capacitor (TCAP) 110 a-f, electrodes 116 a-116 g, and sets of pads HP 102 a-d along the integrated circuit that are used to connect to an external device. Output capacitors C_(hold) 130 a-c, C_(tip) 124 a-f, ATIP 142 a and RVTIP 142 b are externally located to switch matrix 58, as indicated by the dashed lines in FIGS. 3A-3C. Support or safety pacing path 140 is used for capture management. Lack of capture causes safety pacing to be triggered to ensure that subsequent pacing pulses result in capture. For example, safety pacing may increase the amplitude of the pacing signal to ensure capture of cardiac tissue occurs. Safety pacing switches include S_(pace) 106 b, 106 d, 106 f, 106 h, 106 j and 106 l.

The switch matrix 58 allows pacing pulses to be delivered through one or more pacing vectors within the same cardiac cycle. A pacing vector includes one or more cathodes (FIG. 3B) directly referenced to one or more anodes (FIG. 3C). The selected path to the anode or cathode can be automatically controlled by the processor accessing one or more data registers (i.e. data storage area in memory) or inputted by a user through a user interface on the programmer. The anode and the cathode can be selected by enabling the respective controls in the registers (not shown) to implement simultaneous or substantially simultaneous pacing.

As shown in FIG. 3B, cathodes include atrial terminal capacitor (ATCAP) 110 a and C_(tip), right ventricular terminal capacitor (RVTCAP) 110 b and C_(tip), left ventricular terminal capacitor (LVTCAP) 110 c, left ventricular ring 1 terminal capacitor (LVR1TCAP) 110 d and C_(tip), left ventricular ring electrode 2, terminal capacitor (LVR2TCAP) 110 e and C_(tip), left ventricular ring electrode 3 terminal capacitor (LVR3TCAP) 110 f and C_(tip). Anodes comprise a case (also referred to as a housing or a can) or right ventricular coil (case/RV coil) 116 a, atrial ring (ARING) 116 b, left ventricular tip electrode (LVTIP (shown as electrode 30 in FIG. 1)) 116 d, left ventricular ring electrode 32 (LVRING1) 116 e, left ventricular ring electrode 2 (LVRING2 (shown as electrode 34 in FIG. 1)) 116 f, and left ventricular ring electrode 3 (LVRING3 (shown as electrode 36 in FIG. 1)) 116 g.

Each pacing vector includes a pacing path and a recharging or repolarization path. In order to better understand the pacing and passive recharge paths, a portion of the switching matrix 58 related to the pacing vector formed by the atrial tip electrode (i.e. cathode shown in FIG. 3B) and the atrial ring electrode (i.e. anode shown in FIG. 3C) is depicted in greater detail in FIGS. 12A-12C. The pacing path and recharging path shown, pace to pace (i.e. escape interval), in FIGS. 12A-12C exemplify the various pacing vectors shown in FIGS. 3A-3C.

Referring to FIG. 12A, a circuit diagram is shown relative to an exemplary escape interval which is a pace-to-pace time diagram. Before a digital pacing signal is sent to switching matrix 58, the output capacitor C_(hold) is connected to the power source (e.g. battery) by closed battery positive terminal switch (S_(BPLUS)) so that output capacitor C_(hold) can be charged until the desired voltage (e.g. 8 volts or less, 7 volts or less, 6 volts or less, 5 volts or less etc.) is attained in order to deliver the next pacing pulse. After timing and control circuitry 52 generates a digital pace signal that starts at time equal to zero and extends for a certain amount of time (e.g. about 1 ms), switches S_(hp,vss) and S_(gnd) are closed, as shown in FIG. 12B. The output capacitor C_(hold) is connected to the tip coupling capacitor (C_(tip)) 132 via closed switch S_(pace). Tip coupling capacitor C_(tip), with its positive and negative plates shown in FIGS. 12A-12C, is external to switching matrix 58 and is configured to prevent DC voltage from passing through the heart. Once switches S_(hp,vss), S_(pace), S_(gnd) are closed, the pacing pulse current flows between the ring/case electrode (i.e. anode) and the tip electrode (i.e. cathode).

In the particular example shown in FIG. 12B, the pace current travels, by convention, in the direction in which positive charge would move, as denoted in FIG. 12B i.e. from the atrial ring electrode to the atrial tip electrode. The actual flow of electrons (e⁻) is in the opposite direction of the pace current. Due to the current direction, the ring/case electrode is positively charged with respect to the paced tip electrode. Charge, and therefore voltage, is accumulated on the tip coupling capacitor, C_(tip). Accumulation of charge on the coupling capacitor C_(tip) is undesired to maintain charge neutrality.

Referring to FIG. 12C, to remove the charge on tip coupling capacitor C_(tip), a passive recharge signal is generated to balance the total charge to a net zero charge. Timing and control circuitry 52 signals switching matrix 58 to perform passive recharge. A set of switching sequences are implemented for passive recharge or repolarization to occur. For example, the S_(pace) switch is opened which creates an open circuit between C_(hold) and the electrodes thereby stopping the pacing operation. Thereafter, switches S_(gnd) or S_(hp) are opened. This switching sequence keeps the ring or case electrodes connected to a circuit reference (i.e. VSS) until after the output capacitor C_(hold) voltage is disconnected from the tip and ring electrodes via the S_(pace) switch being open.

Switch S_(rchg) closes which causes the tip capacitor C_(tip) (i.e. cathode) used in the prior pacing operation to then be connected to reference voltage VSS. After the tip capacitor C_(tip) is connected to negative supply voltage VSS, the desired ring or case electrode is reconnected to supply voltage VSS by closing switch S_(gnd) shown in FIG. 12C. Once both switches are closed, the recharge current path is completed through the external load. Current flow for the recharge path is the opposite direction of the pace current. The flow of electrons e⁻ flows in the opposite direction of the recharge current. In the present example, the recharge current flows from tip electrode to the ring/case electrode. Based on the current direction, the “recharged” tip electrode is positive with respect to the “recharged” electrode (e.g. ring/case electrode). The recharge time is typically about 6.8 ms or about 7 ms; however, recharge time can be greater (e.g. up to 20 ms) or lower (e.g. less than 7 ms). After the recharge current is generated, the total net charge at the coupling capacitor is now zero charge or about zero charge.

To ensure the net charge is zero or about zero volts at the coupling capacitor, the recharge time period is either set or adjustable. Automatically setting the recharge time period can be implemented by the hardware or computer instructions. For example, each hardware time register associated with each recharge time period for a coupling capacitor can be set by the manufacturer, user or through a lookup table.

An adjustable recharge time can be established by using a lookup table or a separate circuit established that associates the recharge time period with each pacing voltage for the pacing current. The net charge can be determined to be zero or about zero (e.g. 5-10 millivolts) at the coupling capacitor by measuring the voltage at the pacing electrode. Once the net charge can be determined to be zero or about zero (e.g. 5-10 millivolts) at the pacing electrode, the recharge current is automatically terminated using the circuit in FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is the same as FIG. 12A-C. The descriptions of FIGS. 12A-C are incorporated by reference herein except as to electronic components that are added to terminate the recharge pacing pulses once the pacing electrode senses that the voltage at the tissue interface is zero or nearly zero volts (e.g. 5-10 millivolts). The added electronic components include offset adjustment 71, comparator 73, recharge control 75, switch S_(rchg) 77. As shown, the recharge current begins at start time 61 when Srchg closes but the recharge current terminates at end time 63. End time 63 occurs as a result of a control signal generated from recharge control 75. Recharge control 75 could also be configured to be within timing and control module 53. The control signal terminating the recharge signal at end time 63 is generated in response to detection of zero or about zero (e.g. 5-10 millivolts) by the pacing electrode that delivered the pacing pulses to the pacing site. Detection of the lower voltage value by the pacing electrode is determined via comparator 73. Once the control signal is generated, the Srchg opens, which creates an open circuit thereby stopping the recharge process.

The recharge time period for each coupling capacitor can depend upon the characteristics of the pace current (e.g. pacing pulsing width, pacing amplitude, and pacing impedance). The recharge lookup table can use estimated times to ensure the net charge is zero or about zero for each coupling capacitor. An exemplary recharge lookup table can comprise recharge time periods established for each tip capacitor. Each recharge time period is associated with pacing pulse width, pacing amplitude, and pacing impedance. By acquiring one or all of the characteristics (e.g. pacing pulse width, pacing amplitude, and pacing impedance etc.), the recharge time period can be acquired from the lookup table and automatically implemented. Implementing adjustable time periods can conserve energy of the implantable medical device.

Following the pace and recharge operations, the lead system is held in a trickle charge operation in which trickle resistors Rtrkl 112 drain residual charge or polarization artifacts that may remain on the electrode after delivery of the pacing pulse. During a trickle charge operation, the anode (e.g. ring electrodes, device case (IPG only)) are connected to VSS via high impedance trickle resistors. In addition, all of the tip capacitor cathodes are connected to VSS via high impedance resistors 112 of the same value.

The detailed description of FIGS. 12A-12C relative for the atrial tip to atrial ring electrodes can be applied the same or similarly to the remaining exemplary pacing vectors, formed by a cathode and an anode depicted in FIGS. 3A-3C, relative to its pacing and recharging paths. For example, another exemplary pacing vector may comprise the RV tip electrode 142 b (i.e. cathode) and the RV ring electrode 116 c (i.e. anode). Timing and control circuitry 52 signals switching matrix 58 to deliver a pacing pulse. The switch S_(hp,vss) 122 b, associated with the RV tip electrode 142 b channel, closes. Thereafter, the switch S_(pace) 106 c and S_(gnd) 118 c close. When switch S_(gnd) 118 c closes, the RV ring electrode 116 c is at the same or about the same voltage as Shp Vss. Output capacitor C_(hold) 130 b discharges energy to RV tip electrode 142 b that has a return path (not shown) to the RVRING 116 c (i.e. anode).

To remove the charge on coupling capacitor C_(tip), a passive recharge signal is generated to balance the total charge to a net zero charge. Timing and control circuitry 52 signals switching matrix 58 to perform passive recharge through a set of switching sequences. For example, the S_(pace) switch 106 c is opened which creates an open circuit between output capacitor C_(hold) 130 b and the RVTIP and RVRING electrodes 142 b, 116 c thereby stopping the pacing operation. Thereafter, switches S_(gnd) 118 c or S_(hp) 122 b are opened. This switching sequence keeps the RV ring electrode 116 c connected to a circuit reference (i.e. VSS) until after the output capacitor C_(hold) voltage is disconnected from the RV tip and RV ring electrodes 142 b, 116 c via the S_(pace) switch 106 c being opened.

Switch S_(rchg) 124 b closes which causes the tip capacitor C_(tip) 132 b used in the prior pacing operation to then be connected to reference voltage VSS. After the tip capacitor C_(tip) 132 b is connected to negative supply voltage VSS, the RV ring electrode 116 c is reconnected to supply voltage VSS via switch S_(gnd) 118 c. Once both switches S_(rchg) 124 b S_(gnd) 118 c are closed, the recharge current path is completed through the external load. Current flow for the recharge path is the opposite direction of the pace current. The total net charge at the coupling capacitor is now zero charge.

Numerous pacing vectors can be formed using left ventricular electrodes 30, 32, 34, 36. One or more of the left ventricular electrodes 30, 32, 34, 36 can be configured to serve as a cathode or an anode. Typically, the left ventricular electrodes 30, 32, 34, 36 are selected as cathodes to pace the LV while the housing (i.e. referred to as a can or case) or the defibrillation electrode 24 serve as the anode. In one or more embodiments, the remaining LV electrodes are deactivated by keeping the S_(gnd) switch open that is associated with the LV electrode. Keeping the S_(gnd) switch, associated with an electrode, open prevents current passing through the circuit for that electrode. In one or more other embodiments, one or more of the remaining electrodes can serve as anode. Additionally, or alternatively, any electrode path can be used for sensing.

Preferably, the electrodes 32 and 34 (FIG. 1) are selected to pace; however, any pair combination of the LV electrodes can be used to pace the left ventricle. n one or more embodiments, electrodes 32 and 34 are spaced 1.5 millimeters (mm) apart while 30 and 36 are 20 to 21 mm spaced apart, as shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/464,181 filed on May 4, 2012 by Ghosh et al., commonly assigned by the assignee of the present disclosure, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

Generally, an electrode is selected to serve as a cathode to pace tissue by employing the switching sequence described relative to FIG. 12A-12B to close switches S_(hp) V_(SS) 122, S_(pace) 106, S_(gnd) 118. For an electrode to serve as an anode, S_(gnd) must be closed and S_(pace) is opened. To balance the charge at C_(tip) after pacing the tissue, a recharging current is delivered by opening S_(pace) switch and closing switches S_(hp), S_(BPLUS) 120, S_(Rrchg) 124 S_(gnd), 118 using the switching sequence described relative to FIG. 12C for that particular electrode.

Exemplary paths for a LV electrode to function as a cathode or an anode is now described. Referring to FIG. 3A, LVTIP 116 d can be configured to serve as a cathode by closing switch S_(hp) V_(ss) 122 c, which is associated with the LV tip electrode channel. Thereafter, the switch S_(pace) 106 e to LVHM 104 c and S_(gnd) 118 f close channel(s) associated to one or more of LVRING 116 e/case/RV coil 116 a. Switch S_(gnd) 118 f and S_(gnd) 118 associated with the channel for the selected anode (e.g. one or more of LVRING/case/RV coil), closes. Switch S_(gnd) 118 f and S_(gnd) 118 close at the same or about the same voltage potential as Shp Vss. C_(hold) 130 c discharges energy to LVTCAP 110 c, C_(tip) 132 c, LVTIP 116 d that has a return path (not shown) to the LVRING (i.e. LVRING1-3 116 e-g as an anode), case or RV coil (i.e. anode).

To remove the charge on coupling capacitor C_(tip), a passive recharge signal is generated to balance the total charge to a net zero charge. Timing and control circuitry 52 signals switching matrix 58 to perform passive recharge. The S_(pace) switch 106 e is opened which creates an open circuit between C_(hold) 130 c and the electrodes thereby stopping the pacing operation. Thereafter, switches S_(gnd) 118 f or S_(hp) 122 c are opened. This switching sequence keeps the selected anode (e.g. one or more of LVRING/case/RV coil) connected to a circuit reference (i.e. VSS) until after the output capacitor C_(hold) 130 c voltage is disconnected from the LVTIP 116 d and one or more electrodes serving as anodes via the S_(pace) switch 106 e being open. The one or more anodes may be the case, defibrillation coil, or one of the LV electrodes. The one or more electrodes are selected to serve as an anode by ensuring that the S_(hp, vss) and S_(gnd) 118 associated with that electrode is closed during a pacing operation.

After the pacing operation is terminated (i.e. S_(pace) switch is opened), switch S_(rchg) 124 c closes which causes the tip capacitor C_(tip) 132 c used in the prior pacing operation to then be connected to reference voltage VSS. After the tip capacitor C_(tip) 132 c is connected to negative supply voltage VSS, the desired electrode, serving as the anode, is reconnected to supply voltage VSS via switch S_(gnd) 118 that is associated with the channel directly aligned with that particular electrode. For example, if LVRING1 116 e is to serve as the anode, S_(gnd) 118 g is closed. LVRING electrodes not serving as anode have an open S_(g)nd switch. Alternatively, if LVRING2 116 f is to serve as the anode, S_(gnd) 118 h is closed. Alternatively, if LVRING3 116 g is to serve as the anode, S_(gnd) 118 i is closed.

Once switches S_(rchg) 124 c and S_(gnd) are closed, the recharge current path is completed through the external load. Current flow for the recharge path is the opposite direction of the pace current. The total net charge at the coupling capacitor is now zero charge.

For LVRING1 to serve as a cathode, switch Shp Vss 122 c, associated with the LV ring1 electrode channel, closes. Thereafter, the switch S_(pace) 106 g and S_(gnd) 118 a close to the case/RV coil. When switch S_(gnd) 118 g closes, the case or RV coil or another LV electrode, serves as the anode, which is at the same or about the same voltage potential as S_(hp) V_(ss). C_(hold) 130 c discharges energy to LVR1TCAP 110 d and C_(tip) that has a return path (not shown) to the anode (e.g. case, RV coil etc.)

For LVRING2 to serve as a cathode, switch Shp Vss 122 c, associated with the LVRING2 electrode channel, closes. Thereafter, the switch S_(pace) 106 i and S_(gnd) 118 a close to the case/RV coil. C_(hold) 130 c discharges energy to LVR2TCAP 110 e (i.e. cathode) that has a return path (not shown) to the case or RV coil (i.e. anode).

For LVRING3 to serve as a cathode, switch Shp Vss 122 c, associated with the LVRING3 electrode channel, closes. Thereafter, the switch S_(pace) 106 k 104 c and S_(gnd) 118 a close to the case/RV coil. When switch S_(gnd) 118 a closes, the case or RV coil, serves as the anode, which is at the same or about the same voltage potential as Shp Vss. C_(hold) 130 c discharges energy to LVR3TCAP 110 f (i.e. cathode) that has a return path (not shown) to the case or RV coil (i.e. anode).

While switching matrix 58 has been described for a bipolar pace configuration, a unipolar pace can also be used such as a tip (i.e. cathode) to case (i.e. anode). Exemplary values for each electronic component in switching circuit 58 includes C_(hold) at 10 microFarads while C_(tip) is nominally 6.8 microFarads. Trickle resistor 112 values are register-selectable between 5 megaohm (MΩ) and 500 kiloohm (kΩ) values. FET switches are employed with on resistance to switch (RON) at about 20 ohms. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram depicting a method 200 for controlling a multi-site pacing therapy being delivered from a multi-polar electrode such as an implantable LV lead extending from an implantable medical device. At block 202, a first cathode and a first anode are selected to form a first pacing vector. The first pacing vector is located at a selected first pacing site within a given heart chamber, which may be an LV pacing site. For the sake of illustration, the methods for selecting multiple pacing sites are presented in the context of selecting multiple pacing sites along the LV for CRT therapy. However, the methods described may be altered or adapted as appropriate for selecting pacing sites in or on a different cardiac tissue, heart chamber or tissue and/or for use in a different pacing therapy.

The selection of the first pacing site at block 202 may be based on a variety of measurements or be a nominal pacing site. For example, the first pacing site may be selected as the electrode site corresponding to a late activation time of the LV without LV pacing. A LV activation time is the time interval measured from a reference time point to a sensed R-wave at the pace/sense electrode site. The reference time point may be an atrial sensed or paced event, an R-wave sensed in the RV or a fiducial point. The fiducial may be the onset of QRS (e.g. a QRS complex sensed in the RV) the peak of QRS (e.g. minimum values, minimum slopes, maximum slopes), zero crossings, threshold crossings, etc. of a near or far-field EGM), onset of application of a pacing electrical stimulus, or the like.

A late activation is an activation that occurs relatively later than activation (myocardial depolarization) at other possible LV pace/sense electrode locations. A late activation is not necessarily the latest LV activation that can be measured in the LV since prolonged activation may be associated with pathological or diseased tissue such as myocardial scar tissue, which would be undesirable as a pacing site. With respect to CRT, the greatest therapeutic benefit may be achieved when the LV is paced at or near a location associated with late intrinsic activation time of the ventricle. To determine an electrode site corresponding to late activation, LV activation times are measured at each of the available LV electrodes relative to a reference time point, such as a sensed R-wave in the RV when no ventricular pacing is delivered. In one embodiment, the LV activation times are measured by sensing for an LV depolarization wavefront (R-wave) at each of the LV electrodes 30, 32, 34 and 36 used as sensing electrodes. LV activation times may be measured during an intrinsic rhythm or during atrial pacing. Typically pacing in the RV will be withheld to obtain the LV activation time measurements during intrinsic ventricular conduction.

The first pacing site may be selected using other measurements or techniques, which may or may not be combined with measuring LV activation times. For example, hemodynamic measurements may be performed to determine which pacing site results in the greatest hemodynamic benefit. Hemodynamic measurements may be obtained from other physiological sensors 70 coupled to IMD 10 or using clinical techniques such as Doppler echocardiography, fluoroscopy, or LV catheterization. Exemplary methods to select the most optimal electrodes from which to pace can be determined from, for example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/301,084 filed on Nov. 21, 2011 by Demmer et al., and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/464,181 filed on May 4, 2012 by Ghosh et al., commonly assigned by the assignee of the present disclosure, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.

At block 204, a second cathode and a second anode are selected to form a second pacing vector. Selection of the second cathode and the second anode to serve as the second pacing vector uses one or more of the methods presented in block 202. At block 206, first pacing pulses are delivered to the first pacing vector positioned at a first pacing site along a heart chamber. At block 208, second pacing pulses are delivered to the second pacing vector positioned at a second pacing site along a heart chamber. The second pacing pulse is different than the first pacing pulse. For example, the first and second pacing pulse can have different energy characteristics (e.g. voltage, amplitudes, etc.)

The first and second pacing pulses are delivered during the same cardiac cycle. Specifically, first and second pacing pulses are delivered at the same or substantially same time through two or more different electrodes located at different tissue sites. For example, a first pacing pulse having a pre-specified voltage (also referred to as a first voltage) is delivered to a first tissue site followed by a very small or staggered period of time (i.e. 2.5 ms etc.) that starts immediately after generating the first pacing pulse. After the staggered time period ends or expires (e.g. 2.5 ms measured from the generation of the first pacing pulse), a second pacing pulse is generated at a pre-specified voltage (also referred to as a second voltage) and delivered to another tissue site. The staggered time period between the generation of the first and second pacing pulses allows polarization artifacts to be removed from the sensing electrode. Polarization artifacts, generated from the delivery of the pacing pulse, must be cleared or substantially cleared from the electrode before delivery of another pacing pulse; otherwise, the evoked response can be difficult to detect. The staggered time period placed between the pacing pulses emanating from the first and second electrodes ensures that there is a single output associated with each pacing pulse thereby preventing one pacing pulse (e.g. 3 volts) from overlapping with another pacing pulse (e.g. 5 volts). The first and second pacing pulses possess different energy characteristics which allows the pacing to be customized to each patient's needs while seeking to reduce power consumption by using, for example, 3 volts instead of 5 volts.

One or more embodiments relate to recharging the coupling capacitor associated with the switching matrix 58. The timing and control circuitry 52 signals the switching matrix 58 to generate a pacing pulse via an output capacitor, as described relative to FIGS. 12A-12B. The signal causes a set of switches to discharge the output capacitor, which transmits the energy (e.g. pacing pulse) to the electrode. After the pacing pulse terminates, a recharging current is generated to obtain zero or about zero net charge at the coupling capacitor, as previously described relative to FIG. 12C, and incorporated herein.

Programmable pacing parameters, shown in a graphical user interface (GUI) 300 of FIG. 5, can affect recharging times of coupling capacitors. Programmable pacing parameters control device function and/or data collection. Programmable pacing options used by IMD 10 to deliver therapy include, for example, ventricular pacing, interventricular (V-V) pace delay, or multiple point LV delay. The left hand column of the programmable pacing options of GUI 300, designated as “initial value,” are typically pre-set at a desirable goal while the right hand side column, designated as “optimized permanent,” is set by the user to reflect actual information related to the patient.

Ventricular pacing parameter determines whether a ventricle(s) is paced and in which order each ventricle is paced. The ventricular pacing parameter allows for selection of pacing of the RV followed by pacing the LV (i.e. RV→LV), pacing of the LV followed by pacing of the RV (i.e. LV→RV), LV only pacing, or RV only pacing. The ventricular pacing parameter is selected based upon the cardiac condition of the patient to achieve maximum cardiac output.

The V-V pace delay controls the timing interval between the RV and LV1 paces when RV+LV order is selected and between LV1 and RV paces when LV+RV order is selected. V-V pace delay parameter can be set at any time such as up to 100 ms after the first pacing pulse (e.g. 1:0 (=2.5), 0 ms, 10 ms, . . . 80 ms etc.). Multiple point LV delay is defined as the delay that exists between the first and second LV pacing pulses that are delivered to the first and second LV pacing sites, respectively.

Ventricular pacing can be implemented, for example, by pacing of the RV followed by pacing the LV (i.e. RV→LV). Once the ventricular pacing parameter has been selected, the V-V pace delay is pre-specified to a certain value (e.g. greater than or equal to 10 ms etc.). Multiple point LV delay, linked to V-V pace delay through a lookup table, using the values set forth in Table 1, requires the multiple point LV delay to be greater than or equal to 10 ms. After ventricular pacing and the V-V delay are designated, the sequence of recharging coupling capacitors, exemplarily shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, is automatically set in a specified order, as summarized in Table 1. For example, assume that ventricular pacing is set to pacing the RV followed by pacing the LV (i.e. RV→LV), and V-V pace delay is set at 10 ms, the multiple LV delay is set to being greater than or equal to 10 ms, then the first coupling capacitor, associated with delivering the electrical stimuli for the first LV pace, is immediately recharged after the first LV pace. The second coupling capacitor is immediately recharged after delivery of the electrical stimuli for the second LV pace. The capacitor associated with delivering the RV pace is immediately recharged after delivery of the RV pace.

In another embodiment related to ventricular pacing of the RV followed by pacing the LV (i.e. RV→LV), and V-V pace delay is set at about 2.5 ms, the multiple LV delay is set to being greater than or equal to about 20 ms. The first capacitor and the RV capacitor are recharged after delivery of the first LV pace. The second capacitor is recharged after delivery of the second LV pace.

In yet another embodiment related to ventricular pacing of the LV followed by pacing the RV (i.e. LV→RV), the V-V pace delay is set at greater than or equal to about 20 ms, the multiple LV delay is set to being greater than or equal to about 10 ms. The first capacitor is recharged after delivery of the first LV pace. The second capacitor is recharged after delivery of the second LV pace. The RV capacitor is recharged after delivery of the RV pace.

In still yet another embodiment related to ventricular pacing of the LV followed by pacing the RV (i.e. LV→RV), and V-V pace delay is set at about 20 ms, the multiple LV delay is set to about 2.5 ms. The first capacitor is recharged after delivery of the second LV pace. The second capacitor is recharged after delivery of the second LV pace. The RV capacitor is recharged after delivery of the RV pace.

In yet another embodiment related to ventricular pacing of the LV followed by pacing the RV (i.e. LV→RV), and V-V pace delay is set at 2.5 ms, the multiple LV delay is set to 2.5 ms. The first capacitor is recharged after delivery of the second RV pace. The second capacitor is recharged after delivery of the first LV pace. The RV capacitor is recharged after delivery of the RV pace.

First LV pace recharge refers to the capacitor, associated with the first LV electrode, recharging after a first pace or first pacing pulse (i.e. energy discharge) is delivered to cardiac tissue (e.g. ventricle) which typically takes about 20 milliseconds (ms). Second LV pace recharge refers to the capacitor recharging after a second pace or second pacing pulse. RV pace recharge refers to the capacitor recharging after a pacing pulse to the RV.

Optionally, restrictions can be applied during CRT therapy to one or more embodiments. Multisite LV pace polarity and LV first pace polarity cannot both use the RV coil unless recharge is completed because the potential for additional polarization is eliminated on the possible sensing path. If LV→RV is selected with V-V delay set to 0 (i.e. a staggered time period of about 2.5 ms) and multiple point LV pacing is switched ON, multiple point LV delay is not selectable, which will result in LV—2.5 ms—LV—2.5 ms—RV.

In one or more other embodiments, if LV→RV is selected, the V-V delay of 10 ms is not allowed. In one or more other embodiments, if RV→LV is selected, multisite LV delay of 0 or 10 ms is also not allowed. In contrast, if LV→RV is selected and multisite LV pacing is ON, multiple point LV delay is required to be less than V-V delay. In one or more embodiments, if CRT is adaptive, ventricular pacing and V-V pace delay cannot be selected or programmed.

Table 1, presented below, summarizes the programmable options that may be used by IMD 10.

Table 1 presents device CRT parameters along with exemplary values that can be programmed into implantable medical device.

Ventricular V-V Multiple First LV Second LV IMD pacing pace point LV pace pace RV pace Parameter Mode delay delay recharge recharge recharge RV→LV ≥10 ms ≥10 ms After first LV After After RV pace second LV pace pace  2.5 ms ≥20 ms After first LV After After first pace second LV LV pace pace recharge LV→RV ≥20 ms ≥10 ms After first LV After After RV pace second LV pace pace ≥20 ms  2.5 ms After second After After RV LV pace second LV pace recharge pace  2.5 ms  2.5 ms After RV After first After RV pace LV pace pace recharge recharge

In addition to Table 1, timing diagrams, presented in FIGS. 6-11, provide useful examples as to varied recharging times of coupling capacitors after delivery of pacing pulses to cardiac tissue. Each timing diagram such as timing diagram 400 shown in FIG. 6 includes six horizontal lines 402-412. The top three horizontal lines 402, 404, 406 show timing of different pacing pulses while the bottom three horizontal lines 408, 410, 412 show the recharging times for each coupling capacitor associated with a channel to a particular electrode (e.g. RV electrode, LV1 electrode, LV2 electrode etc.). Recharging time for each coupling capacitor is affected by one or more pacing pulses. Vertical lines 414, 416 intersecting a pacing pulse horizontal line indicates either the start time 414 or ending time 416 of the pacing pulse. The time between the start and end of the pacing pulse is the duration of the pacing pulse. Similarly, the vertical lines 418, 420, along one of the bottom recharging horizontal lines indicates either the start time 418 or ending time 420 of the recharging operation. The duration of the recharging operation occurs between the start and end times for recharging. The timing diagram is interpreted by reviewing the pacing pulse line and then the related recharging line. Any pacing pulse that interrupts a recharging time is then examined.

Generally, recharging of the coupling capacitor follows a set of recharging requirements. For example, after a pacing pulse is delivered, the recharging operation continues unless the recharging operation gets interrupted by another pacing pulse. The last pace gets top priority for completing its associated recharging operation unless that particular recharging operation is interrupted by another pace. Additionally, the last pace is the first to finish its recharging operation because no other pacing pulse will interrupt the recharging operation associated with the last pace during the pacing interval.

The set of recharging requirements applies to a group of paces such as the RV pace, the first LV pace, and the second LV pace shown in FIGS. 6-11. The corresponding time between groups is considered to be the overall pacing interval. For example, if the pacing interval is 1000 msec (60 beats/minute), the time between one RV pace and the next RV pace (not shown) is 1000 msec, while the time between the RV pace and the first and second LV paces involves shorter time intervals. Exemplary shorter time intervals between first and second LV paces are shown in the timing diagrams.

FIG. 6 depicts a timing diagram 400 that begins with a RV pacing pulse being sent to the RV electrode. The RV pace begins at the first vertical line extending from the horizontal line and terminates at the next vertical line from the same horizontal line. The delay between the first and second pace (PV2V) and the delay between the second and third pace (PV2V2) are also shown in FIG. 6. In particular, PV2V is the time between the start of the first pace and the start of the second pace while PV2V2 is the time between the start of the second pace and the start of the third pace. The coupling capacitor, associated with the same channel as the RV electrode, undergoes a set of recharging operations. For example, the coupling capacitor immediately recharges after the RV pacing pulse terminates. The RV coupling capacitor recharging operation is interrupted by a pacing pulse at the LV1 electrode. The coupling capacitor, associated with the same channel as the LV1 electrode, undergoes a recharging operation immediately after the LV1 pacing pulse is completed and continues until the recharging operation is interrupted by the LV2 pacing pulse. The coupling capacitor, associated with the same channel as the LV2 electrode, undergoes a recharging process immediately after the LV2 pacing pulse is completed and continues until completion of the recharging operation. The coupling capacitor associated with the RV1 electrode then completes its recharging operation through a second recharge operation. Thereafter, the coupling capacitor associated with the LV1 completes its recharging operation.

FIG. 7 depicts yet another timing diagram that begins with a LV1 pacing pulse being delivered to the LV1 electrode. The coupling capacitor associated with the LV1 electrode undergoes a recharge operation immediately after the LV1 pacing pulse terminates. The LV1 recharging operation continues but is interrupted by the LV2 pacing pulse. The coupling capacitor, associated with LV2, begins the recharging operation and continues until the RV pacing pulse interrupts the recharging operation. The coupling capacitor, associated with the RV electrode, begins the recharging operation immediately after the RV pacing pulse is completed. The coupling capacitor associated with the RV electrode completes its recharging operation followed by the coupling capacitor associated with the LV1 electrode completing its recharging operation. After the LV1 recharging operation is completed, the LV2 recharging operation is completed.

FIG. 8 depicts yet another timing diagram that begins with a RV pacing pulse being delivered to the RV electrode. The coupling capacitor, associated with the RV electrode, begins its recharge operation immediately after the RV pacing pulse terminates. The recharging operation continues but is interrupted by the LV1 pacing pulse. The coupling capacitor associated with the LV1 starts its recharge operation after the pacing pulse terminates and continues to completion. The pacing pulse for LV2 is then delivered. The coupling capacitor, associated with the LV2 pace, begins and completes its recharging operation uninterrupted.

FIG. 9 depicts a timing diagram that begins with a RV pacing pulse being delivered to the RV electrode. The coupling capacitor associated with the RV electrode undergoes a recharge operation immediately after the RV pacing pulse terminates. The RV recharging operation is completed uninterrupted. The LV1 pacing pulse is delivered. The coupling capacitor, associated with the LV1 electrode, begins its recharging operation immediately after the LV1 pacing pulse is completed. The recharging operation for the coupling capacitor associated with LV1 continues until the recharging operation is interrupted by the LV2 pacing pulse. The recharging operation of the coupling capacitor associated with the LV2 pacing pulse begins immediately after the LV2 pacing pulse is completed. The LV2 coupling capacitor recharging operation is then completed. Thereafter, the LV1 recharging operation is completed.

FIG. 10 depicts a timing diagram in which the recharging operations continue without interruption by another pacing pulse. The RV pacing pulse is delivered to the RV electrode. The coupling capacitor, associated with the RV electrode, undergoes a recharge operation immediately after the RV pacing pulse terminates. The RV recharging operation continues until completion. The LV pace is then delivered followed by the recharging operation of the coupling capacitor associated with the LV. The recharging operation is completed before the LV2 pace is delivered to the LV2 electrode. After the LV2 pace is delivered, the LV2 recharging operation is begun and eventually is completed without interruption.

FIG. 11 is yet another exemplary timing diagram. A pacing pulse is first delivered to the LV1 electrode. The coupling capacitor associated with the LV1 electrode immediately begins recharging until the recharge operation is interrupted by a pacing pulse associated with the LV2 electrode. The coupling capacitor associated with the LV2 electrode immediately begins recharging after termination of the pacing pulse. The recharge operation for the LV2 coupling capacitor continues unimpeded. The coupling capacitor, associated with the LV1 electrode, again attempts to recharge but is interrupted by the pacing pulse delivered to the RV electrode. The coupling capacitor associated with the RV electrode completes its recharge operation. Thereafter, the coupling capacitor associated with the LV1 electrode finishes its recharge operation.

Method 500, depicted in FIG. 13, verifies effective capture of individual electrodes (e.g. cathodes) during multi-site pacing therapy. As previously explained, multisite pacing involves pacing therapy delivered by stimulation of cardiac tissue from more than one electrode located in the same chamber (e.g. left ventricle) of the heart within the same cardiac cycle, often in close spatial proximity e.g. two electrodes of the multi (quadri)-polar lead within a tributary of the coronary sinus in the left ventricle. Multi-site or multipoint pacing may be delivered by simultaneous or sequential stimulation of two or more electrodes located in the same chamber (e.g. LV). Simultaneous pacing is defined as pacing from two or more electrodes where the timing delay between electrodes is less than 5 ms. Since the electrodes in multi-site or multi-point stimulation are in close proximity to each other, it is important to detect and verify effective capture of individual electrodes during delivery of such therapy. While conventional left ventricular capture management routines determine capture thresholds for each electrode individually during stimulation from each LV electrode, conventional capture management can not verify capture during multi-site or multipoint pacing therapy from more than one LV electrodes. Detection of capture is especially important during sequential multipoint stimulation since too long of inter-electrode timing delay may cause a refractory condition (e.g. cardiac tissue will not respond to electrical excitation) near the second electrode that receives the second pacing pulse. For purposes of clarity, similar reference numbers (e.g. 504 a,b 506 a,b) are used in FIG. 13 to identify similar elements.

Method 500 begins at block 502 in which therapy 502 is delivered to the tissue via pacing pulses to the first and second pacing vectors. For example, the first pacing pulse is delivered to a first pacing site at block 504 a. The second pacing pulse is delivered to the second pacing site at block 504 b. It should be understood that while block 504 b refers to a second pace, block 504 b contemplates that paces can be delivered to Nth pacing electrode, where N can be any number between 2-10, in order to evaluate effective capture individually from differently placed electrodes during multi-electrode pacing. At block 506 a, an electrical signal (e.g., morphological waveform(s) within electrograms (EGM)) corresponding to the first LV electrode is windowed for evaluation of effective capture from that same electrode. As used herein, a morphological waveform corresponds to the evoked response to a pacing stimulus measured by the time-variation of electrical potential between the stimulating cathode (e.g. LVx where X relates to any one of the LV electrodes 30,32, 34, 36 FIG. 1) and a second electrode, which may be an indifferent electrode (e.g. RV Coil). Features of the morphological waveform are analyzed within a predetermined, or selected, time period, or timing window, (e.g., 150 ms, 165 ms, 175 ms, 185 ms, 200 ms) after the delivery of pacing stimulus. For example, the LVx-RV coil EGM represents the unipolar electrogram for each LV cathode employed in stimulation. Block 506 b involves windowing an electrical signal (e.g., morphological waveform(s) within an EGM) for the delivery of the second pace to the second pacing vector near or in the second pacing site.

At block 508, effective capture criteria is applied to each electrode (e.g. cathode) that delivers energy to tissue. For example, effective capture criteria for each electrode (e.g. LVx electrode) is based on gross morphological features of unipolar LVx-RV coil EGM. Exemplary effective capture criteria or effective capture test (ECT), an example of which may be seen with respect to U.S. Pat. No. 8,750,998 issued Jun. 10, 2014, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. Verification of capture is calculated at each LV cathode individually using features of unipolar electrogram vector e.g. LV cathode-RV coil or LV cathode-can. The method to determine effective capture employs gross features of the electrogram such as maximum amplitude (Max), minimum amplitude (Min), timing of the maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) amplitudes, baseline amplitude (BL) within a time-window of a pre-specified window (e.g. 165 ms) starting from the time of delivery of the first LV pace and uses criteria, presented below, to verify effective tissue capture.

FIG. 14 depicts the flow diagram for determining effective capture at a single electrode. Both the first and second electrodes are evaluated using criteria set forth in method 600. To determine whether a pacing stimulus effectively captures a ventricle, sensed data is evaluated according to one or more of the mathematical relationships embodied at blocks 606, 608, 610, 616, 618, and 620. At block 606, a determination is made as to whether a first condition relative to effective capture is met. The first condition, presented below, subtracts Tmin from Tmax and then determines whether the result is greater than a predetermined threshold (T) such as 30 ms. The equation for the first condition is as follows:

Tmax−Tmin>Threshold (e.g. 20-35 ms)

If Tmax−Tmin is not greater than 30 ms, then the NO path continues to block 614 in which the pacing stimulus is declared to ineffectively capture a ventricle. In contrast, if Tmax−Tmin>30 ms, the YES path continues to block 608. At block 608, a determination is made as to whether a second condition is met. The equation for the second condition is as follows:

LL<|Max-BL|/|BL−Min|<UL.

The lower limit (LL) and upper limit (UL) are associated with upper and lower ratio limits, respectively, of a morphological feature. Exemplary LL can be 0.2 with a range of 0.1 to 0.33 and exemplary UL can be 5.0 with a range of 3.0 to 10.0. Preferably, LL is set at 0.125 and the UL is set at 8.0.

The maximum value (Max) and the minimum value (Min) are associated with a particular EGM morphological feature such as amplitude. The ratio, |Max-BL|/|BL-Min|, includes the absolute value of Max-BL which is divided by the absolute value of BL-Min. If the second condition at block 608 is not satisfied, then the NO path continues to block 618 in which a determination is made as to whether (IMax-BL|/|Min−BL|)≤LL. If (|Max−BL|/|Min-BL|)≤LL is not met, then the NO path continues to block 614 and the ventricular pace stimuli is declared not to evoke effective capture of the ventricle. In contrast, the YES path from block 618 continues to block 620 in which a determination is made as to whether BL<|Min/8|. If BL is not less than |Min/8|, the NO path from block 620 continues to block 614 in which the electrical stimuli is declared to ineffectively capture the ventricle. If BL is less than |Min/8|, then the YES path continues to optional block 610.

The YES path from block 608 also continues to block 610 which determines whether Tmin is less than a preselected value such as 60 ms. The preselected value can be any value between 40 ms-80 ms. If Tmin is not less than 60 ms, then the NO path continues to optional block 616 in which another determination is made as to whether Max-Min is greater than a threshold such as any value from 0.5-4.0 mV. If Max-Min is greater than 3.5 mV, effective capture exists and the YES path continues to block 612 in which the ventricular stimulus is declared to capture the ventricle. The NO path from block 616 continues to block 614 in which a determination is made that ventricular stimulus is determined not to effectively capture a ventricle.

Returning to block 610, if Tmin is less than 60 ms, then the YES path continues to block 612 in which effective capture is declared. Every time effective capture is declared at block 612, an effective capture counter is incremented by 1. The effective capture counter is maintained and updated continuously during effective capture monitoring. Effective capture monitoring determines whether pacing stimulus is effective or ineffective. Effective capture monitoring tracks responses from cardiac tissue during pacing therapy.

Effective capture monitoring may be performed continuously or, more preferably, performed periodically (e.g. 100 beats/hour (hr), daily etc.) in order to conserve battery life. Preferably, effective capture monitoring is performed 100 beats per hour and consists of normal pace timings (not the ideal timing conditions of ECT). The effective capture monitoring (i.e. 100 beats per hour) is reported to the user as a % of effective capture beats. The user can apply any choice of threshold for concern (e.g. 90%, etc.). After a period of monitoring, a metric of effective capture can be computed by dividing the effective capture counter by the total number of paced beats. The method then returns to monitoring for the next paced event at block 602.

After the first and second electrodes are each evaluated for effective pacing using method 600, a determination is made as to whether effective capture is present at block 510 of FIG. 13A-13B. If neither the first or second paces effectively capture the cardiac tissue, then the NO path returns to block 502 to test one or more other electrodes. If both the first and second paces are effective, at block 510, the paces delivered are declared to be effective and the YES path continues to block 512. FIGS. 15A-15D are unipolar electrogram traces corresponding to LV electrodes (e.g. cathodes) during multisite stimulation. Ventricular pacing starts (VP) at begins at VP in each electrogram. FIG. 15A electrogram shows effective capture occurred at LV1 electrode-RV coil while FIG. 15B shows effective capture occurring at LV2 electrode-RV coil. In contrast, FIGS. 15C-15D depicts effective capture occurring at RV/LV1-LV2 electrodes in FIG. 15C while FIG. 15D shows ineffective capture at LV2-RV-coil. In particular, QS morphology at LV1-RV Coil indicates effective capture at cathode LV1 but r-S morphology at LV2-RV Coil indicates lack of effective capture at cathode LV2.

At block 512 the processor causes the type of multi-site pacing to follow either a sequential pacing 514 path or a simultaneous pacing path set of instructions. For example, if the multi-site pacing is deemed sequential pacing 514, then inter-electrode timing is shortened at block 518 For example, the inter-electrode timing may be altered in decremental steps of 5 ms or 10 ms, i.e. from 40 ms to 35 ms, or from 40 ms to 30 ms. Thereafter, the path continues to block 502 or is stopped for a pre-specified time period.

On the other hand, if the multi-site pacing is deemed simultaneous pacing at block 516, an optional determination block 520 of FIG. 13A is used to determine whether pacing output is at the highest output. The highest output is the maximum amount of energy (e.g. highest amplitude, longest pulse width) delivered by the IMD to the tissue. The YES path from block 520 to block 524 indicates that ineffective capture is occurring which may be due to lead dislodgement or a bad substrate (e.g. scar tissue). Thereafter, another electrode may be evaluated for therapy delivery starting at block 502. Returning to block 520, if pacing output is not at its highest output, then the NO path continues to block 522 and the pacing output is increased. FIG. 13B is the same as FIG. 13A except that blocks 520 and 524 are removed and simultaneous pacing block connects directly with block 522 in which pacing output is increased. Skilled artisans will appreciate that method 500 detects and confirms effective tissue capture from each individual electrode (e.g. cathode) during multipoint or multisite LV pacing. In particular, method 500 distinguishes steps based on which optimal timing intervals can be set for sequential multi-point pacing compared to simultaneous multi-point pacing.

An implantable medical device, method, or system use a pacing sequence that has total pacing energy less than a conventional single pace (e.g. 5 volts). For example, assume a bipolar medical electrical lead is used to pace one electrode to another electrode. Assume further that 5 volts at 0.5 ms are needed to capture cardiac tissue. One embodiment of the present disclosure contemplates using a precharge and a pace. A first pace (e.g. a 2 volt pace) could be delivered to a first target tissue (e.g. cardiac tissue) and a second pace (e.g. a 2 volt pace) could be delivered to a second target tissue (e.g. cardiac tissue) within the same cardiac cycle. In this example, the capture achieved the same result as the single pace delivered at 5 volts but less total energy (i.e. 4 volts) was used compared to the 5 volts for a single pace.

Another embodiment of the disclosure contemplates using a precharge and a pace. A first pace (e.g. a 1 volt pace) could be delivered to a first target tissue (e.g. cardiac tissue) and a second pace (e.g. a 1 volt pace) could be delivered to a second target tissue (e.g. cardiac tissue) within the same cardiac cycle. In this example, the capture achieved the same result as the single pace delivered at 5 volts but less total energy (i.e. 2 volts) was used compared to the 5 volts for a single pace. Energy is conserved by not delivering a typical charge (e.g. 5 volts) to tissue.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, a precharge and a pace are employed. A first pace (e.g. a pace in the range of 1 volt to about 2 volts) could be delivered to a first target tissue (e.g. cardiac tissue) and a second pace (e.g. a pace in the range of 1 volt to about 2 volts) could be delivered to a second target tissue (e.g. cardiac tissue) within the same cardiac cycle. In this example, the first pace and the second pace are different voltages but achieves the same or similar capture as the 5 volt pace. In addition, energy is conserved by not delivering a full 5 volts to tissue.

One or more embodiments, relates using the capture described herein to automatically select or present on a graphical user interface on a computer (e.g. programmer the optimal vectors. Optimal vectors employ minimum thresholds to capture and/or avoid undesirable phrenic nerve stimulation. In one or more embodiments, vector combinations (i.e. first pacing vector, second pacing vector) are selected to approximate normal contraction mechanics. In one or more other embodiments, vector combinations (i.e. first pacing vector, second pacing vector) are selected to optimize pacing sequences based on stroke volume or ejection fraction.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that the methods described herein are not limited to predetermined recharging time periods as taught by conventional devices. The set of recharge requirements described herein provide greater flexibility to implantable medical devices and may extend battery life.

The flow charts presented herein are intended to illustrate the functional operation of the device and should not be construed as reflective of a specific form of software or hardware necessary to practice the methods described. It is believed that the particular form of software, hardware and/or firmware will be determined primarily by the particular system architecture employed in the device and by the particular detection and therapy delivery methodologies employed by the device. Providing circuitry to accomplish the described functionality in the context of any modern IMD, given the disclosure herein, is within the abilities of one of skill in the art.

Methods described in conjunction with flow charts presented herein may be implemented in a computer-readable medium that includes instructions for causing a programmable processor to carry out the methods described. A “computer-readable medium” includes but is not limited to any volatile or non-volatile media, such as a RAM, ROM, CD-ROM, NVRAM, EEPROM, flash memory, and the like. The instructions may be implemented as one or more software modules, which may be executed by themselves or in combination with other software.

Additionally, in the flow charts presented herein, it is recognized that all blocks shown may not be performed in some embodiments or may be performed in a different order than the order shown. Furthermore, operations described in conjunction with separate flow charts presented herein may be combined in any combination to successfully achieve the result of selecting multiple pacing sites along a heart chamber and selecting an energy efficient manner for delivering the multi-site pacing.

In addition, pacing pulses may be applied to multiple sites in the same or differing heart chambers to treat other cardiac conditions, e.g., treating tachyarrhythmias by closely spaced pacing pulses delivered through a plurality of somewhat overlapping or non-overlapping pacing paths. In one or more other embodiments, the selection of the ring or case electrode can be determined by the programmed pace polarity for each chamber of the heart.

In one or more other embodiments, an integrated diagnostics risk score algorithm can be used to compute a risk score of a prospective heart failure event (HFE), and, in response to the calculated risk HFE, implement multisite pacing for a pre-specified period of time or until a precondition is met. An HFE occurs when one of two criteria are present. First, an HFE is declared when a patient is admitted to the hospital for worsening HF. Second, the patient received Intravenous HF therapy (e.g. IV diuretics/vasodilators) or ultrafiltration at any location (e.g. Emergency Department, ambulance, observation unit of a medical unit, Urgent Care, HF/Cardiology Clinic, patient's home etc.)

In response to the risk score for the HFE, multisite pacing can be performed that examines trends for a HFE in the next 30 days. A different therapy (e.g. multisite pacing) can be automatically implemented by the IMD processor during a heart failure exacerbation. Alternatively, the IMD can receive an HFE risk status that causes the automatic implementation of multisite pacing.

In one or more other embodiments, multisite pacing can be automatically implemented during an HFE exacerbation. Once the exacerbation is resolved, the electrical stimulation can return to regular pacing that was previously specified for that patient. For example, suppose the medical personnel believe a patient can benefit from multisite pacing but are also concerned about the drain on the battery for the implantable medical device. The pacing therapy could be switched to the multisite pacing therapy believed to be more efficacious during the exacerbation and then switched back to the regular pacing therapy once the exacerbation has run its course.

It will also be appreciated that the stimulation energy may be other than a pacing pulse, and that the stimulation path may constitute other living body tissue stimulated at multiple sites in a sequential fashion, e.g., nerve, bladder, sphincter, brain, and other organs or muscle groups. The problems of recharging any reactive living body tissue stimulation path to enable closely spaced delivery of stimulation pulse energy can be addressed in the manner described above.

While the pace current can be configured to travel from the anode to the cathode, skilled artisans appreciate that the circuit diagram could be configured to cause the pace current to travel from the cathode to the anode.

The following paragraphs enumerated consecutively from 1-37 provide for various aspects of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, in a first paragraph (1) the present disclosure provides a first embodiment of a pacing device comprising a set of electrodes including a first ventricular electrode and a second ventricular electrode, spatially separated from one another and all coupled to an implantable pulse generator, the device comprising:

a processor configured for selecting a first cathode and a first anode from the set of electrodes to form a first pacing vector at a first pacing site along a heart chamber and selecting a second cathode and a second anode from the set of electrodes to form a second pacing vector at a second pacing site along the same heart chamber;

the pulse generator configured to deliver first pacing pulses to the first pacing vector and delivering second pacing pulses to the second pacing vector;

the pulse generator for generating a recharging current for recharging a first coupling capacitor over a first recharge time period in response to the first pacing pulses;

the pulse generator for generating a recharging current for recharging a second coupling capacitor over a second recharge time period in response to the second pacing pulses; and

wherein an order of recharging the first and second coupling capacitors is dependent upon one of ventricular pacing mode, left ventricle to right ventricle delay (V-V) pace delay, multiple point LV delay and latest delivered pacing pulses to one of the first and second pacing vectors.

Embodiment 2 is the device of embodiment 1 wherein the recharging of the first coupling capacitor over the first recharge time period is in response to the first pacing pulses.

Embodiment 3 is the device of embodiment 1 wherein the recharging of the second coupling capacitor over the second recharge time period is in response to the second pacing pulses.

Embodiment 4 is the device of any embodiments of 1-2 wherein the first and second recharge time periods are not at a preset time period.

Embodiment 5 is the device of any of the embodiments of 1-4 wherein one of the first and second recharge time periods comprise a set of recharge time periods implemented before recharge is completed for one of the first and second recharge time periods.

Embodiment 6 is the device of any of the embodiments of 1-5 wherein one of the first and second recharge time periods have a same duration in time even if completion of recharge is interrupted by another pace pulse.

Embodiment 7 is the device of any of the embodiments of 1-16, further comprising displaying on a graphical user interface an optimal pacing vector selected from one of the first pacing vector and the second pacing vector.

Embodiment 8 is the device of any of the embodiments of 1-7, wherein an optimal pacing vector configuration comprises a first and a second left ventricular electrode that are spaced about 1.5 millimeters apart from each other.

Embodiment 9 is the device of any of the embodiments of 1-8, wherein the first and second pacing vectors are a first and a second left ventricular electrode.

Embodiment 10 is the device of any of the embodiments of 1-9, wherein the first and second pacing pulses are sequentially spaced apart during the same cardiac cycle.

Embodiment 11 is the device of any of the embodiments of 1-10, wherein the first and second pacing vectors are selected to avoid phrenic nerve stimulation.

Embodiment 12 is the device of any of the embodiments of 1-11, wherein the first and second pacing pulses is configured to be cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Embodiment 13 is the device of any of the embodiments of 1-12, wherein the first pacing site being one of left ventricular tissue and right ventricular tissue.

Embodiment 14 is the device of any of the embodiments of 1-13, wherein the second pacing site being one of left ventricular tissue and right ventricular tissue.

Embodiment 15 is the device of embodiment 1-14, wherein the first and second pacing site being spaced apart along left ventricular tissue.

Embodiment 16 is a method for recharging a set of coupling capacitors associated with a right ventricular electrode and first and second left ventricular electrodes for delivery of multi-site pacing therapy, the method comprising:

setting one or more pacing parameters for controlling delivery of pacing pulses;

generating a first pacing control signal from a timing control module to a switching matrix, the switching matrix comprising a first, second and third set of switches;

in response to the first pacing control signal, the first set of switches causing discharging of a first output capacitor to deliver a first left ventricular (LV) pacing pulse to a first pacing vector;

generating a second pacing control signal from the timing control module;

in response to the second pacing control signal, the second set of switches causing discharging of a second output capacitor to deliver a second LV pacing pulse to a second pacing vector in response to the second pacing signal;

generating a third pacing control signal from the timing control module to the switching matrix;

in response to the third pacing control signal, the third set of switches causing discharging of a third output capacitor to deliver a right ventricular (RV) pacing pulse to a third pacing vector,

wherein an order of recharging the first, second, and third coupling capacitors being dependent on the one or more programmable pacing parameters.

Embodiment 17 is the method of embodiment 16 wherein the one or more programmable pacing parameters comprises ventricular pacing mode, V-V pace delay, and multiple point left ventricular delay.

Embodiment 18 is the method of embodiment 16, wherein in response to determining that:

-   -   (a) the ventricular pacing mode being RV→LV,     -   (b) the V-V pace delay being about 2.5 ms,     -   (c) the multiple point LV delay is greater than or equal to         about 20 ms,

recharging the second coupling capacitor in response to the second pacing pulse;

recharging the first coupling capacitor in response to recharging the second coupling capacitor; and

recharging the third coupling capacitor in response to the third pacing pulse.

Embodiment 19 is the method of any of the embodiments of 16-18, wherein in response to determining that:

-   -   (a) the ventricular pacing mode being LV→RV,     -   (b) the V-V pace delay being greater than or equal to about 20         ms,     -   (c) the multiple point LV delay greater than or equal to about         10 ms, recharging the first coupling capacitor in response to         the first pacing pulse; recharging the second coupling capacitor         in response to the second pacing pulse; and

recharging the third coupling capacitor in response to the RV pacing pulse.

Embodiment 20 is the method of any of the embodiments of 16-19, wherein in response to determining that:

-   -   (a) the ventricular pacing mode being LV→RV,     -   (b) the V-V pace delay being greater than or equal to about 20         ms,     -   (c) the multiple point LV delay greater than or equal to about         2.5 ms,

recharging the second coupling capacitor in response to the second pacing pulse;

recharging the first coupling capacitor in response to recharging the second capacitor; and

recharging the third coupling capacitor in response to the RV pacing pulse.

Embodiment 21 is the method of any of the embodiments of 16-20, wherein in response to determining that:

-   -   (a) the ventricular pacing mode being LV→RV,     -   (b) the V-V pace delay being greater than or equal to about 5         ms,     -   (c) the multiple point LV delay greater than or equal to about         2.5 ms,

recharging the third coupling capacitor in response to the RV pacing pulse;

recharging the first coupling capacitor in response to recharging the third capacitor;

and

recharging the second coupling capacitor in response to recharging the first capacitor.

Embodiment 22 is the method of any of the embodiments of 16-21, wherein recharging of the first coupling capacitor occurs over a time period that is not predetermined.

Embodiment 23 is the method of any of the embodiments of 16-22, wherein recharging of the second coupling capacitor occurs over a time period that is not predetermined.

Embodiment 24 is the method of any of the embodiments of 16-23, wherein recharging of the third coupling capacitor occurs over a time period that is not predetermined.

Embodiment 25 is a method for controlling a multi-site pacing therapy, the method comprising:

selecting a first cathode and a first anode to form a first pacing vector;

selecting a second cathode and a second anode to form a second pacing vector;

delivering a first pacing pulse to the first pacing vector positioned at a first pacing site along a heart chamber; and

delivering sequentially a second pacing pulse to the second pacing vector positioned at a second pacing site along a heart chamber within a single cardiac cycle,

wherein sequential pacing of the first and second pacing pulses having a total pacing energy less than a conventional single pacing pulse.

Embodiment 26 is a method for controlling a multi-site pacing therapy, the method comprising:

selecting a first cathode and a first anode to form a first pacing vector;

selecting a second cathode and a second anode to form a second pacing vector;

delivering first pacing pulse to the first pacing vector positioned at a first pacing site along a heart chamber;

delivering sequentially a second pacing pulse to the second pacing vector positioned at a second pacing site along a heart chamber within a single cardiac cycle, wherein sequential pacing being optimized in response to stroke volume.

Embodiment 27 is a method for controlling a multi-site pacing therapy, the method comprising:

selecting a first cathode and a first anode to form a first pacing vector;

selecting a second cathode and a second anode to form a second pacing vector;

delivering a first pacing pulse to the first pacing vector positioned at a first pacing site along a heart chamber;

delivering sequentially a second pacing pulse to the second pacing vector positioned at a second pacing site along a heart chamber within a single cardiac cycle,

wherein sequential pacing being optimized in response to ejection fraction.

Embodiment 28 is a method for determining effective capture of a multi-site pacing therapy, the method comprising:

selecting a first cathode and a first anode to form a first pacing vector;

selecting a second cathode and a second anode to form a second pacing vector;

delivering a first pacing pulse to the first pacing vector positioned at a first pacing site along a heart chamber;

delivering sequentially a second pacing pulse to the second pacing vector positioned at a second pacing site along a heart chamber within a single cardiac cycle;

determining whether the first and the second pacing vectors effectively capture cardiac tissue; and

shorten inter-electrode timing for delivery of pacing.

Embodiment 29 is a method for adjusting dual site pacing to effectively capture tissue by an implantable medical device, the method comprising:

selecting a first cathode and a first anode to form a first pacing vector;

selecting a second cathode and a second anode to form a second pacing vector;

delivering first pacing pulses to the first pacing vector positioned at a first pacing site along a heart chamber;

delivering second pacing pulses to the second pacing vector positioned at a second pacing site along a heart chamber within a single cardiac cycle;

determining whether the first and second pacing pulses are effectively capturing at the first and second pacing sites;

determining whether the first and second pacing pulses are being delivered simultaneously or sequentially;

in response to determining ineffective capture, selecting a first action to achieve effective capture for the first and second pacing pulses being delivered simultaneously and selecting a second action if the first and second pacing pulses being delivered sequentially.

Embodiment 30 is the method of embodiment 29 wherein the first action includes increasing energy delivered to cardiac tissue.

Embodiment 31 is the method of embodiment 29 further comprising determining whether energy delivered via the first pacing pulses or the second pacing pulses is at a highest output.

Embodiment 32 is the method of any of the embodiments of 29-31 wherein further comprising:

determining whether highest pacing output is being generated by the implantable medical device at one of the first and second pacing sites;

in response to determining the highest pacing output is not being generated, increasing the pacing output.

Embodiment 33 is the method of any of the embodiments of 29-32 wherein further comprising:

determining whether highest pacing output is being generated by the implantable medical device at one of the first and second pacing sites, in response to determining the highest pacing output is being generated;

determining ineffective capture is present at one of the first and second pacing sites.

Embodiment 34 is the method of any of the embodiments of 29-34 wherein determining ineffective capture is occurring in response to determining the first pacing pulses or the second pacing pulses is at a highest output.

Embodiment 35 is the method of any of the embodiments of 29-35 wherein the second action includes shortening inter-electrode timing.

Embodiment 36 is a method comprising:

selecting a first cathode and a first anode to form a first pacing vector;

selecting a second cathode and a second anode to form a second pacing vector;

delivering first pacing pulses to the first pacing vector positioned at a first pacing site along a heart chamber;

delivering simultaneously or about simultaneously second pacing pulses to the second pacing vector positioned at a second pacing site along a heart chamber within a single cardiac cycle, the first and second pacing pulses provide a combined total energy delivered that is less than a conventional single pacing pulse delivered to cardiac tissue.

Embodiment 37 is the method of embodiment 36 wherein the total energy for the conventional single pacing pulse that is delivered is in the range of 2 to 3 volts

Embodiment 38 is a method for controlling multi-site pacing therapy, the method comprising:

selecting a first cathode and a first anode to form a first pacing vector at a first pacing site along a heart chamber;

selecting a second cathode and a second anode to form a second pacing vector at a second pacing site along a heart chamber;

delivering first pacing pulses to the first pacing vector;

delivering second pacing pulses to the second pacing vector;

recharging a first coupling capacitor over a first recharge time period in response to the first pacing pulses; and

recharging a second coupling capacitor over a second recharge time period in response to the second pacing pulses

wherein one of the first and second recharge time periods being set through a lookup table.

Embodiment 39 is a method for controlling a multi-site pacing therapy, the method comprising:

selecting a first cathode and a first anode to form a first pacing vector at a first pacing site along a heart chamber;

selecting a second cathode and a second anode to form a second pacing vector at a second pacing site along a heart chamber;

delivering first pacing pulses to the first pacing vector;

delivering second pacing pulses to the second pacing vector;

recharging a first coupling capacitor over a first recharge time period in response to the first pacing pulses; and

recharging a second coupling capacitor over a second recharge time period in response to the second pacing pulses wherein one of the first and second recharge time periods being adjustable.

Embodiment 40 is a method of embodiment 39, wherein the adjustable first or second recharge time periods is dependent upon a pacing voltage measured at one of the first and second pacing sites.

Embodiment 41 is a method of embodiment 39 wherein adjustable first or second recharge time periods is dependent on one of the first and second pacing pulse characteristics.

Embodiment 42 is a method of any of embodiments 39-41 wherein first and second pacing pulse characteristics pacing pulse width, pacing amplitude, and pacing impedance.

Embodiment 43 is a medical device for delivering a multi-site pacing therapy, comprising:

a plurality of electrodes to sense cardiac signals and deliver cardiac pacing pulses to a first pacing site and a second pacing site along a heart chamber;

a processor configured to reference a first cathode to a first anode to form a first pacing vector at the first pacing site and reference a second cathode to a second anode to form a second pacing vector at the second pacing site;

a therapy delivery module to deliver first cardiac pacing pulses to the first pacing vector via the plurality of electrodes and second cardiac pacing pulses to the second pacing vector via the plurality of electrodes, the therapy delivery module further configured to generate first recharge pacing pulses over a first recharge time period in response to delivery of first cardiac pacing pulses and second recharge pacing pulses over a second recharge time period in response to delivery of second cardiac pacing pulses, wherein the first and second recharge time periods being independent of each other with respect to time duration.

Embodiment 44 is a method for controlling a multi-site pacing therapy, the method comprising:

selecting a first cathode and a first anode to form a first pacing vector at a first pacing site along a heart chamber;

selecting a second cathode and a second anode to form a second pacing vector at a second pacing site along a heart chamber;

delivering first pacing pulses to the first pacing vector;

delivering second pacing pulses to the second pacing vector;

recharging a first coupling capacitor over a first recharge time period in response to the first pacing pulses;

recharging a second coupling capacitor over a second recharge time period in response to the second pacing pulses; and

wherein an order of recharging the first and second coupling capacitors is dependent upon one of ventricular pacing mode, left ventricle to right ventricle delay (V-V) pace delay, multiple point LV delay and latest delivered pacing pulses to one of the first and second pacing vectors.

Embodiment 45 is the method of embodiment 44 wherein the recharging of the first coupling capacitor over the first recharge time period is in response to the first pacing pulses.

Embodiment 46 is the method of embodiment 44 wherein the recharging of the second coupling capacitor over the second recharge time period is in response to the second pacing pulse.

Embodiment 47 is the method of any of the embodiments of 44-46 wherein the first and second recharge time periods are not at a preset time period.

Embodiment 48 is the method of any of the embodiments of 44-47 wherein one of the first and second recharge time periods comprise a set of recharge time periods implemented before recharge is completed for one of the first and second recharge time periods.

Embodiment 49 is the method of any of the embodiments of 44-48 wherein one of the first and second recharge time periods have a same duration in time even though completion of recharge is interrupted by another pace pulse.

Embodiment 50 is the method of any of the embodiments of 44-49, further comprising displaying on a graphical user interface an optimal pacing vector selected from one of the first pacing vector and the second pacing vector.

Embodiment 51 is the method of any of the embodiments of 44-50, wherein an optimal pacing vector configuration comprises a first and a second left ventricular electrode that are spaced about 1.5 millimeters apart from each other.

Embodiment 52 is the method of any of the embodiments of 44-51, wherein the first and second pacing vectors are a first and a second left ventricular electrode.

Embodiment 53 is the method of any of the embodiments of 44-52, wherein the first and second pacing pulses are sequentially spaced apart during the same cardiac cycle.

Embodiment 54 is the method of any of the embodiments of 44-53, wherein the first and second pacing vectors selected to avoid phrenic nerve stimulation.

Embodiment 55 is the method of any of the embodiments of 44-54, wherein the multi-site pacing therapy is configured to be cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Embodiment 56 is the method of any of the embodiments of 44-55 the first pacing site being one of left ventricular tissue and right ventricular tissue.

Embodiment 57 is the method of any of the embodiments of 44-56, the second pacing site being one of left ventricular tissue and right ventricular tissue.

Embodiment 58 is a method for controlling a multi-site pacing therapy, the method comprising:

selecting a first cathode and a first anode to form a first pacing vector;

selecting a second cathode and a second anode to form a second pacing vector;

delivering a first pacing pulse to the first pacing vector positioned at a first pacing site along a heart chamber;

delivering a second pacing pulse to the second pacing vector positioned at a second pacing site along a heart chamber,

wherein the first and second pacing pulses having one or more different energy characteristics and being delivered within a single cardiac cycle, wherein first and second pacing vectors being selected to approximate normal cardiac contraction mechanics.

Thus, an apparatus and method for controlling multi-site pacing have been presented in the foregoing description with reference to specific embodiments. It is appreciated that various modifications to the referenced embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims. 

1.-58. (canceled)
 59. A method for adjusting multisite pacing to effectively capture tissue by an implantable medical device, the method comprising: selecting a first cathode and a first anode to form a first pacing vector; selecting a second cathode and a second anode to form a second pacing vector; simultaneously or sequentially delivering a first pacing pulse to the first pacing vector positioned at a first pacing site along a heart chamber and a second pacing pulse to the second pacing vector positioned at a second pacing site along a heart chamber within a single cardiac cycle; determining whether the first and second pacing pulses are effectively capturing at the first and second pacing sites; and in response to determining ineffective capture, selecting a first action to achieve effective capture for the first and second pacing pulses being delivered simultaneously and selecting a second action if the first and second pacing pulses being delivered sequentially.
 60. The method of claim 59 wherein the first action includes increasing energy delivered to cardiac tissue.
 61. The method of claim 59 further comprising determining whether energy delivered via the first pacing pulses or the second pacing pulses is at a highest output.
 62. The method of claim 59 wherein further comprising: determining whether highest pacing output is being generated by the implantable medical device at one of the first and second pacing sites; in response to determining the highest pacing output is not being generated, increasing the pacing output.
 63. The method of claim 59 wherein further comprising: determining whether highest pacing output is being generated by the implantable medical device at one of the first and second pacing sites, in response to determining the highest pacing output is being generated; determining ineffective capture is present at one of the first and second pacing sites.
 64. The method of claim 59 wherein determining ineffective capture is occurring in response to determining the first pacing pulses or the second pacing pulses is at a highest output.
 65. The method of claim 59 wherein the second action includes shortening inter-electrode timing.
 66. The method of any of claims 59 through 65 wherein the implantable medical device includes a multiple electrode medical lead extending from the implantable medical device.
 67. The method of claim 66 wherein the lead comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, third electrode and fourth electrode.
 68. An implantable medical device comprising: a sensing module configured to sense cardiac signals; a signal generator configured to generate and deliver electrical ventricular stimulation pulses (Vp) through a medical electrical lead that includes a first electrode spatially separated from a second electrode; a processor coupled to the sensing module and the signal generator and configured to: (a) control the stimulation generator to deliver a first Vp to a first tissue site and a second Vp to a second tissue site within a single cardiac cycle; (b) determine from the sensed cardiac signals whether the first and second Vp are effectively capturing at the first and at the second pacing sites; and (c) in response to a failure to effectively capture, selecting a first action to achieve effective capture if the first and second pacing pulses were delivered simultaneously and selecting a second action if the first and second pacing pulses were delivered sequentially.
 69. The implantable medical device of claim 68 wherein the first action comprises shortening interelectrode timing.
 70. The implantable medical device of claim 68 wherein the second action comprises increasing pacing output delivered to one of the first and second tissue sites.
 71. A method for determining effective capture of a multisite pacing therapy, the method comprising: selecting a first cathode and a first anode to form a first pacing vector; selecting a second cathode and a second anode to form a second pacing vector; delivering a first pacing pulse to the first pacing vector positioned at a first pacing site along a heart chamber; delivering sequentially a second pacing pulse to the second pacing vector positioned at a second pacing site along a heart chamber within a single cardiac cycle; determining whether the first and the second pacing vectors effectively capture cardiac tissue; and shorten inter-electrode timing for delivery of pacing pulses. 